Choice Hotels International (CHH) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL INC /DE
Trading Symbol	chh
Entity Central Index Key	1046311
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	57,587,566

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Inc

Consolidated Statements Of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
REVENUES:
Royalty fees	$62,431	$58,540
Initial franchise and relicensing fees	5,717	3,740
Procurement services	4,807	4,778
Marketing and reservation	98,713	89,606
Other	3,577	3,072
Total revenues	175,245	159,736
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative	32,438	26,680
Depreciation and amortization	2,690	2,278
Marketing and reservation	98,713	89,606
Total operating expenses	133,841	118,564
Operating income	41,404	41,172
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
Interest expense	10,179	10,171
Interest income	-346	-503
Other (gains) and losses	-468	-59
Equity in net loss of affiliates	1,005	35
Total other income and expenses, net	10,370	9,644
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	31,034	31,528
Income taxes	9,440	10,059
Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	21,594	21,469
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	1,641
Net income	$21,594	$23,110
Basic earnings per share
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.38	$0.37
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.03
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.38	$0.40
Diluted earnings per share
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.36
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.03
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.39
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.19

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$21,594	$23,110
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge	215	215
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-1,447	521
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-1,232	736
Comprehensive income	$20,362	$23,846

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$200,544	$214,879
Receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,842 and $10,084, respectively)	102,013	91,681
Deferred income taxes	25,674	23,860
Income taxes receivable	0	1,458
Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value	177	214
Other current assets	28,864	19,322
Total current assets	357,272	351,414
Property and equipment, at cost, net	80,057	77,309
Goodwill	65,813	65,813
Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net	8,001	8,912
Notes receivable, net of allowances	48,781	40,441
Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value	17,916	17,539
Deferred income taxes	18,921	20,546
Other assets	64,361	65,296
Total assets	661,122	647,270
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	54,631	57,124
Accrued expenses	39,414	63,530
Deferred revenue	73,908	66,382
Current portion of long-term debt	12,362	12,349
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	177	628
Income taxes payable	1,396	85
Total current liabilities	181,888	200,098
Long-term debt	799,628	782,082
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	24,259	23,987
Other liabilities	68,840	69,904
Total liabilities	1,074,615	1,076,071
Commitments and Contingencies
SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized; 95,065,638 shares issued at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and 57,587,566 and 57,337,720 shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	576	573
Additional paid-in-capital	131,711	127,661
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-8,203	-6,971
Treasury stock (37,478,072 and 37,727,918 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively), at cost	-979,828	-982,463
Retained earnings	442,251	432,399
Total shareholders’ deficit	-413,493	-428,801
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit	$661,122	$647,270

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$9,842	$10,084
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	160,000,000	160,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	95,065,638	95,065,638
Common stock, shares outstanding	57,587,566	57,337,720
Treasury stock, shares	37,478,072	37,727,918

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$21,594	$23,110
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	2,690	2,278
Gain on sale of assets	-292	-2,572
Provision for bad debts, net	823	1,399
Non-cash stock compensation and other charges	2,509	2,875
Non-cash interest and other (income) loss	506	416
Deferred income taxes	-233	2,344
Equity (earnings) losses from unconsolidated joint ventures, net of distributions received	1,205	216
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	-11,624	-19,931
Advances to/from marketing and reservation activities, net	4,626	10,903
Forgivable notes receivable, net	-13,371	-3,623
Accounts payable	-1,152	2,080
Accrued expenses	-24,052	-19,861
Income taxes payable/receivable	2,773	3,160
Deferred revenue	7,552	7,932
Other assets	-9,826	-3,103
Other liabilities	437	-2,359
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	-15,835	5,264
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in property and equipment	-6,804	-3,015
Proceeds from sales of assets	1,592	8,703
Equity method investments	-1,921	-3,379
Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans	-1,089	-890
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans	925	281
Issuance of mezzanine and other notes receivable	0	-587
Collections of mezzanine and other notes receivable	105	68
Other items, net	-77	-154
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	-7,269	1,027
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility	20,700	15,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	-3,082	-2,052
Purchases of treasury stock	-6,227	-4,530
Dividends paid	-11,710	-10,784
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	4,473	1,024
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	5,619	1,547
Net cash provided by financing activities	9,773	205
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-13,331	6,496
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,004	587
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	214,879	167,795
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	200,544	174,878
Cash payments during the period for:
Income taxes, net of refunds	2,357	5,842
Interest, net of capitalized interest	18,729	19,613
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Dividends declared but not paid	11,230	11,173
Issuance of common stock pursuant to share based compensation plans	6,952	7,253
Investment in property and equipment acquired in accounts payable	$1,380	$603

Company_Information_and_Signif

Company Information and Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Company Information and Significant Accounting Policies	Company Information and Significant Accounting Policies
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Choice Hotels International, Inc. and subsidiaries (together the "Company") have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary, in the opinion of management, to fairly present our financial position and results of operations. Except as otherwise disclosed, all adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.
	Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") have been omitted. The Company believes the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.
	The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015 (the "10-K"). Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the entire year results. All inter-company transactions and balances between Choice Hotels International, Inc. and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Discontinued Operations
	In the first quarter of 2014, the Company's management approved a plan to dispose of the three Company owned Mainstay Suites hotels. As a result, the Company has reported the operations related to these three hotels as discontinued operations in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. For additional information regarding discontinued operations, see Note 17, Discontinued Operations.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $6.7 million and $5.4 million, respectively, of book overdrafts representing outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit are included in accounts payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company maintains cash balances in domestic banks, which at times, may exceed the limits of amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In addition, as of March 31, 2015, the Company maintains cash balances of $195.1 million in international banks which do not provide deposit insurance.
	Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant, and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity ("ASU No. 2014-08"). ASU No. 2014-08 changes the definition of a discontinued operation to include only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. ASU No. 2014-08 is effective for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2015 and it did not have a material impact on its financial statements.
	Future Adoption of Recently Announced Accounting Guidance
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"), which impacts virtually all aspects of an entity's revenue recognition. ASU No. 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, as well as most industry-specific guidance, and significantly enhances comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities and industries by providing a principles-based, comprehensive framework for addressing revenue recognition issues. In order for a provider of promised goods or services to recognize as revenue the consideration that it expects to receive in exchange for the promised goods or services, the provider should apply the following five steps: (1) identify the contract with a customer(s); (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU No. 2014-09 also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer and provides enhanced disclosure requirements. The FASB has tentatively deferred ASU No. 2014-09 for one year, and with that deferral, the standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, which will be our 2018 first quarter. We are permitted to use either the retrospective or modified retrospective method when adopting ASU No. 2014-09. We are still assessing the potential impact that ASU No. 2014-09 will have on its financial statements and disclosures.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20) (“ASU No. 2015-01”). ASU No. 2015-01 was issued changing the requirements for reporting extraordinary and unusual items in the income statement. The update eliminates the concept of extraordinary items. The presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently will be retained and will be expanded to include items that are both unusual in nature and infrequently occurring. ASU No. 2015-01 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The adoption of this newly issued guidance is not expected to have an impact to our consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) (“ASU No. 2015-02”). ASU No. 2015-02 changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. This guidance must be applied using one of two retrospective application methods and will be effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this newly issued guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) (“ASU No. 2015-03”). ASU No. 2015-03 changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in the financial statements to present such costs as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of debt issuance costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted and the standard is to be applied on retrospective basis. The Company currently does not believe that ASU No. 2015-03 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles-Goodwill - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) (“ASU No. 2015-05”). ASU No. 2015-05 provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license or should be accounted for as a service contract. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted and an entity can elect to adopt the amendment either (1) prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date or (2) retrospectively. The adoption of this newly issued guidance is not expected to have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

Other_Current_Assets

Other Current Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Other Current Assets	Other Current Assets
	Other current assets consist of the following:
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Notes receivable, net of allowances (See Note 3)	$	3,966	$	3,961
	Prepaid expenses	19,653		12,280
	Other current assets	5,245		3,081
	Total	$	28,864	$	19,322

Notes_Receivable_and_Allowance

Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net [Abstract]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses	Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses
	The Company segregates its notes receivable for the purposes of evaluating allowances for credit losses between two categories: Mezzanine and Other Notes Receivable and Forgivable Notes Receivable. The Company utilizes the level of security it has in the various notes receivable as its primary credit quality indicator (i.e. senior, subordinated or unsecured) when determining the appropriate allowances for uncollectible loans within these categories.
	The Company considers loans to be past due and in default when payments are not made when due. Although the Company considers loans to be in default if payments are not received on the due date, the Company does not suspend the accrual of interest until those payments are more than 30 days past due. The Company applies payments received for loans on non-accrual status first to interest and then principal. The Company does not resume interest accrual until all delinquent payments are received. For impaired loans, the Company recognizes interest income on a cash basis.
	The following table shows the composition of our notes receivable balances:
		March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)								(in thousands)
	Credit Quality Indicator	Forgivable			Mezzanine			Total		Forgivable		Mezzanine		Total
		Notes			& Other					Notes		& Other
		Receivable			Notes					Receivable		Notes
					Receivable							Receivable
	Senior	$	—		$	10,152		$	10,152	$	—	$	10,152	$	10,152
	Subordinated	—			3,844			3,844		—		3,863		3,863
	Unsecured	41,558			3,888			45,446		32,379		3,995		36,374
	Total notes receivable	41,558			17,884			59,442		32,379		18,010		50,389
	Allowance for losses on non-impaired loans	4,399			1,510			5,909		3,661		1,540		5,201
	Allowance for losses on receivables specifically evaluated for impairment	—			786			786		—		786		786
	Total loan reserves	4,399			2,296			6,695		3,661		2,326		5,987
	Net carrying value	$	37,159		$	15,588		$	52,747	$	28,718	$	15,684	$	44,402
	Current portion, net	$	162		$	3,804		$	3,966	$	124	$	3,837	$	3,961
	Long-term portion, net	36,997			11,784			48,781		28,594		11,847		40,441
	Total	$	37,159		$	15,588		$	52,747	$	28,718	$	15,684	$	44,402
	The Company classifies notes receivable due within one year as other current assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
	The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s Forgivable Notes Receivable and Mezzanine and Other Notes Receivable allowance for losses for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Forgivable			Mezzanine
		Notes			& Other  Notes
		Receivable			Receivable
		(in thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	3,661		$	2,326
	Provisions	952			—
	Recoveries	(194		)	(30		)
	Write-offs	(149		)	—
	Other(1)	129			—
	Ending balance	$	4,399		$	2,296
	(1) Consists of default rate assumption changes
	Forgivable Notes Receivable
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the unamortized balance of the Company's forgivable notes receivable totaled $41.6 million and $32.4 million, respectively. The Company recorded an allowance for credit losses on these forgivable notes receivable of $4.4 million and $3.7 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Amortization expense included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income related to the notes for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively.
	Past due balances of forgivable notes receivable are as follows:
		30-89 days			> 90 days			Total		Current		Total
		Past Due			Past Due			Past Due				Notes Receivable
		(in thousands)
	As of March 31, 2015
	Forgivable Notes	$	—		$	1,168		$	1,168	$	40,390	$	41,558
		$	—		$	1,168		$	1,168	$	40,390	$	41,558
	As of December 31, 2014
	Forgivable Notes	$	—		$	1,227		$	1,227	$	31,152	$	32,379
		$	—		$	1,227		$	1,227	$	31,152	$	32,379
	Mezzanine and Other Notes Receivable
	The Company determined that approximately $0.8 million of its mezzanine and other notes receivable were impaired at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The Company recorded allowance for credit losses on these impaired loans at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 totaling $0.8 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the average mezzanine and other notes receivable on non-accrual status was approximately $0.8 million and $12.5 million, respectively. The Company recognized approximately $33 thousand and $54 thousand of interest income on impaired loans during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, on the cash basis. The Company provided loan reserves on non-impaired loans totaling $1.5 million at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Past due balances of mezzanine and other notes receivable by credit quality indicators are as follows:
		30-89 days			> 90 days			Total		Current		Total
		Past Due			Past Due			Past Due				Notes Receivable
		(in thousands)
	As of March 31, 2015
	Senior	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	10,152	$	10,152
	Subordinated	3,359			—			3,359		485		3,844
	Unsecured	—			47			47		3,841		3,888
		$	3,359		$	47		$	3,406	$	14,478	$	17,884
	As of December 31, 2014
	Senior	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	10,152	$	10,152
	Subordinated	—			—			—		3,863		3,863
	Unsecured	—			47			47		3,948		3,995
		$	—		$	47		$	47	$	17,963	$	18,010

Marketing_and_Reservation_Acti

Marketing and Reservation Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Advances, Marketing and Reservation Activities [Abstract]
Marketing and Reservation Activities	Marketing and Reservation Activities
	The Company’s franchise agreements require the payment of franchise fees, which include marketing and reservation system fees. The Company is obligated to use the marketing and reservation system revenues it collects from the current franchisees comprising its various hotel brands to provide marketing and reservation services appropriate to support the operation of the overall system. In discharging its obligation to provide sufficient and appropriate marketing and reservation services, the Company has the right to expend funds in an amount reasonably necessary to ensure the provision of such services, whether or not such amount is currently available to the Company for reimbursement. The franchise agreements provide the Company the right to advance monies to the franchise system when the needs of the system surpass the balances currently available. As a result, expenditures by the Company in support of marketing and reservation services in excess of available revenues are deferred and recorded as an asset in the Company’s financial statements. Conversely, cumulative marketing and reservation system revenues not expended in the current period are deferred and recorded as a liability in the financial statements and are carried over to the next fiscal year and expended in accordance with the franchise agreements or utilized to reimburse the Company for prior year advances.
	Under the terms of these agreements, the Company has the contractually enforceable right to assess and collect from its current franchisees, fees sufficient to pay for the marketing and reservation services the Company has procured for the benefit of the franchise system, including fees to reimburse the Company for past services rendered. The Company has the contractual authority to require that the franchisees in the system at any given point repay any deficits related to marketing and reservation activities. The Company’s current franchisees are contractually obligated to pay any assessment the Company imposes on its franchisees to obtain reimbursement of such deficit regardless of whether those constituents continue to generate gross room revenue and whether or not they joined the system following the deficit's occurrence.
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, cumulative marketing and reservation system fees billed exceeded expenses by $42.6 million and $44.3 million, respectively, with the excess reflected as an other long-term liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Depreciation and amortization expense attributable to marketing and reservation activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 were $5.4 million and $3.8 million, respectively. Interest expense attributable to marketing and reservation activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $9 thousand and $0.6 million, respectively.

Other_Assets

Other Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Other Assets	Other Assets
	Other assets consist of the following:
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Equity method investments	$	51,239	$	50,605
	Deferred financing fees, net	6,690		7,228
	Land	2,711		4,011
	Other assets	3,721		3,452
	Total	$	64,361	$	65,296
	Equity Method Investments - Variable Interest Entities
	Equity method investments include investments in joint ventures totaling $47.8 million and $47.1 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively that the Company determined to be variable interest entities ("VIEs"). These investments relate to the Company's program to offer equity support to qualified franchisees to develop and operate Cambria hotel & suites hotels in strategic markets. Based on an analysis of who has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact these entities performance and who has an obligation to absorb losses of these entities or a right to receive benefits from these entities that could potentially be significant to the entity, the Company determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of any of its VIEs. The Company based its qualitative analysis on its review of the design of the entity, its organizational structure including decision-making ability and the relevant development, operating management and financial agreements. Although the Company is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs, it does exercise significant influence through its equity ownership and as a result the Company's investment in these entities is accounted for under the equity method. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized losses totaling $1.2 million and $44 thousand, respectively, from these investments. The Company's maximum exposure to losses related to its investments in VIEs is limited to its equity investments as well as certain guarantees described in Note 16 "Commitments and Contingencies" of these financial statements.

Deferred_Revenue

Deferred Revenue	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Deferred Revenue and Credits [Abstract]
Deferred Revenue	Deferred Revenue
	Deferred revenue consists of the following:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Loyalty programs	$	61,092	$	57,757
	Initial, relicensing and franchise fees	4,973		6,439
	Procurement service fees	2,711		1,936
	Other	5,132		250
	Total	$	73,908	$	66,382

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	Debt consists of the following at:
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	$400 million senior unsecured notes with an effective interest rate of 6.0% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	$	400,000	$	400,000
	$250 million senior unsecured notes with an effective interest rate of 6.19% less discount of $0.3 million and $0.4 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	249,652		249,636
	$350 million senior secured credit facility with an effective interest rate of 2.26% and 2.17% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	147,263		129,375
	Fixed rate collateralized mortgage plus a fair value adjustment of $1.1 million and $1.2 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively with an effective interest rate of 4.57%	10,502		10,667
	Economic development loans with an effective interest rate of 3.00% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	3,536		3,536
	Capital lease obligations due 2016 with an effective interest rate of 3.18% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	971		1,149
	Other notes payable	66		68
	Total debt	$	811,990	$	794,431
	Less current portion	12,362		12,349
	Total long-term debt	$	799,628	$	782,082
	Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2022
	On June 27, 2012, the Company issued unsecured senior notes in the principal amount of $400 million (the "2012 Senior Notes") at par, bearing a coupon of 5.75% with an effective rate of 6.0%. The 2012 Senior Notes will mature on July 1, 2022, with interest to be paid semi-annually on January 1st and July 1st. The Company used the net proceeds of this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, together borrowings under the Company's senior credit facility, to pay a special cash dividend in 2012 totaling approximately $600.7 million. The Company's 2012 Senior Notes are guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally, subject to certain customary limitations by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries.
	Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2020
	On August 25, 2010, the Company issued unsecured senior notes in the principal amount of $250 million (the "2010 Senior Notes") at a discount of $0.6 million, bearing a coupon of 5.7% with an effective rate of 6.19%. The 2010 Senior Notes will mature on August 28, 2020, with interest to be paid semi-annually on February 28th and August 28th. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses, to repay outstanding borrowings and for other general corporate purposes. The Company's 2010 Senior Notes are guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally, subject to certain customary limitations by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries.
	Revolving Credit Facility
	On July 25, 2012, the Company entered into a $350 million senior secured credit facility, comprised of a $200 million revolving credit tranche (the "Revolver") and a $150 million term loan tranche (the "Term Loan") with Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and a syndication of lenders (the "Credit Facility"). The Credit Facility has a final maturity date of July 25, 2016, subject to an optional one-year extension provided certain conditions are met. Up to $25 million of the borrowings under the Revolver may be used for letters of credit, up to $10 million of borrowings under the Revolver may be used for swing-line loans and up to $35 million of borrowings under the Revolver may be used for alternative currency loans. The Term Loan requires quarterly amortization payments (a) during the first two years, in equal installments aggregating 5% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan per year, (b) during the second two years, in equal installments aggregating 7.5% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan per year, and (c) during the one-year extension period (if exercised), equal installments aggregating 10% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan.
	The Credit Facility is unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by certain of the Company's domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guarantors currently include all subsidiaries that guarantee the obligations under the Company's Indenture governing the terms of its 2010 and 2012 Senior Notes.
	The Credit Facility is secured by first priority pledges of (i) 100% of the ownership interests in certain domestic subsidiaries owned by the Company and the guarantors, (ii) 65% of the ownership interests in (a) the top-tier foreign holding company of the Company's foreign subsidiaries, and (b) the domestic subsidiary that owns the top-tier foreign holding company of the Company's foreign subsidiaries and (iii) all presently existing and future domestic franchise agreements (the "Franchise Agreements") between the Company and individual franchisees, but only to the extent that the Franchise Agreements may be pledged without violating any law of the relevant jurisdiction or conflicting with any existing contractual obligation of the Company or the applicable franchisee. At the time that the maximum total leverage ratio is required to be no greater than 4.0 to 1.0 (beginning of year 4 of the Credit Facility), the security interest in the Franchise Agreements will be released.
	The Company may at any time prior to the final maturity date increase the amount of the Credit Facility by up to an additional $100 million to the extent that any one or more lenders commit to being a lender for the additional amount and certain other customary conditions are met. Such additional amounts may take the form of an increased revolver or term loan.
	The Company may elect to have borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to (i) LIBOR, plus a margin ranging from 200 to 425 basis points based on the Company's total leverage ratio or (ii) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 100 to 325 basis points based on the Company's total leverage ratio.
	The Credit Facility requires the Company to pay a fee on the undrawn portion of the Revolver, calculated on the basis of the average daily unused amount of the Revolver multiplied by 0.30% per annum.
	The Company may reduce the Revolver commitment and/or prepay the Term Loan in whole or in part at any time without penalty, subject to reimbursement of customary breakage costs, if any. Any Term Loan prepayments made by the Company shall be applied to reduce the scheduled amortization payments in direct order of maturity.
	Additionally, the Credit Facility requires that the Company and its restricted subsidiaries comply with various covenants, including with respect to restrictions on liens, incurring indebtedness, making investments, paying dividends or repurchasing stock, and effecting mergers and/or asset sales. With respect to dividends, the Company may not make any payment if there is an existing event of default or if the payment would create an event of default. In addition, if the Company's total leverage ratio exceeds 4.50 to 1.00, the Company is generally restricted from paying aggregate dividends in excess of $50.0 million during any calendar year.
	The Credit Facility also imposes financial maintenance covenants requiring the Company to maintain:
	•	a total leverage ratio of not more than 5.75 to 1.00 in year 1, 5.00 to 1.00 in year 2, 4.50 to 1.00 in year 3 and 4.00 to 1.00 thereafter,
	•	a maximum secured leverage ratio of not more than 2.50 to 1.00 in year 1, 2.25 to 1.00 in year 2, 2.00 to 1.00 in year 3 and 1.75 to 1.00 thereafter, and
	•	a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 2.00 to 1.00 in years 1 and 2, 2.25 to 1.00 in year 3 and 2.50 to 1.00 thereafter.
	The Credit Facility includes customary events of default, the occurrence of which, following any applicable cure period, would permit the lenders to, among other things, declare the principal, accrued interest and other obligations of the Company under the Credit Facility to be immediately due and payable. At March 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Facility.
	At March 31, 2015, the Company had $126.6 million under the Term Loan and $20.7 million outstanding under the Revolver. At December 31, 2014, the Company had $129.4 million outstanding under the Term Loan and no amounts outstanding under the Revolver.
	Fixed Rate Collateralized Mortgage
	On December 30, 2014, a court awarded the Company title to an office building as settlement for a portion of an outstanding loan receivable for which the building was pledged as collateral. In conjunction with the court award, the Company also assumed the $9.5 million mortgage on the property with a fixed interest rate of 7.26%. The mortgage which is collateralized by the office building requires monthly payments of principal and interest and matures in December 2020 with a a balloon payment due of $6.9 million. At the time of acquisition, the Company determined that the fixed interest rate of 7.26% exceeded market interest rates and therefore the Company increased the carrying value of the debt by $1.2 million to record the debt at fair value. The fair value adjustment will be amortized over the remaining term of the mortgage utilizing the effective interest method.
	Economic Development Loans
	The Company entered into economic development agreements with various governmental entities in conjunction with the relocation of its corporate headquarters in April 2013. In accordance with these agreements, the governmental entities agreed to advance approximately $4.4 million to the Company to offset a portion of the corporate headquarters relocation and tenant improvement costs in consideration of the employment of permanent, full-time employees within the jurisdictions. At March 31, 2015, the Company had been advanced approximately $3.5 million pursuant to these agreements and expects to receive the remaining $0.9 million over the next several years, subject to annual appropriations by the governmental entities. These advances bear interest at a rate of 3% per annum.
	Repayment of the advances is contingent upon the Company achieving certain performance conditions. Performance conditions are measured annually on December 31st and primarily relate to maintaining certain levels of employment within the various jurisdictions. If the Company fails to meet an annual performance condition, the Company may be required to repay a portion or all of the advances including accrued interest by April 30th following the measurement date. Any outstanding advances at the expiration of the Company's 10 year corporate headquarters lease in 2023 will be forgiven in full. The advances will be included in long-term debt in the Company's consolidated balance sheets until the Company determines that the future performance conditions will be met over the entire term of the agreement and the Company will not be required to repay the advances. The Company accrues interest on the portion of the advances that it expects to repay. The Company was in compliance with all current performance conditions as of March 31, 2015.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The following represents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Loss on Cash Flow Hedge			Foreign Currency Items			Total
		(in thousands)
	Beginning balance, December 31, 2014	$	(4,884	)	$	(2,087	)	$	(6,971	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	—			(1,447		)	(1,447		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	215			—			215
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	215			(1,447		)	(1,232		)
	Ending balance, March 31, 2015	$	(4,669	)	$	(3,534	)	$	(8,203	)
	The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the three months ended March 31, 2015 were reclassified to the following line items in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Component		Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income(Loss)			Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statement of Net Income
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
			(in thousands)
	Loss on cash flow hedge
	Interest rate contract		$	215		Interest expense
			—			Tax (expense) benefit
			$	215		Net of tax

NonQualified_Retirement_Saving

Non-Qualified Retirement, Savings and Investment Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Non-Qualified Retirement, Savings and Investment Plans	Non-Qualified Retirement, Savings and Investment Plans
	The Company sponsors two non-qualified retirement savings and investment plans for certain employees and senior executives. Employee and Company contributions are maintained in separate irrevocable trusts. Legally, the assets of the trusts remain those of the Company; however, access to the trusts' assets is severely restricted. The trusts cannot be revoked by the Company or an acquirer, but the assets are subject to the claims of the Company's general creditors. The participants do not have the right to assign or transfer contractual rights in the trusts.
	In 2002, the Company adopted the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan ("EDCP") which became effective January 1, 2003. Under the EDCP, certain executive officers may defer a portion of their salary into an irrevocable trust. Prior to January 1, 2010, participants could elect an investment return of either the annual yield of the Moody's Average Corporate Bond Rate Yield Index plus 300 basis points, or a return based on a selection of available diversified investment options. Effective January 1, 2010, the Moody's Average Corporate Bond Rate Yield Index plus 300 basis points is no longer an investment option for salary deferrals made on compensation earned after December 31, 2009. The Company recorded current and long-term deferred compensation liabilities of $10.2 million and $10.2 million, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, related to these deferrals and credited investment returns. Compensation expense is recorded in SG&A expense on the Company's consolidated statements of income based on the change in the deferred compensation obligation related to earnings credited to participants as well as changes in the fair value of diversified investments. Compensation expense recorded in SG&A related to the EDCP for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
	The Company has invested the employee salary deferrals in diversified long-term investments which are intended to provide investment returns that partially offset the earnings credited to the participants. The diversified investments held in the trusts totaled $5.2 million and $4.6 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and are recorded at their fair value, based on quoted market prices. At March 31, 2015, the Company expects $0.2 million of the assets held in the trusts to be distributed to participants during the next twelve months. These investments are considered trading securities and therefore the changes in the fair value of the diversified assets is included in other gains and losses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The Company recorded investment gains related to the EDCP during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 of approximately $99 thousand and $30 thousand, respectively. In addition, the EDCP Plan held shares of the Company's common stock with a market value of $0.3 million and $0.2 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 respectively, which were recorded as a component of shareholders' deficit.
	In 1997, the Company adopted the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Non-Qualified Retirement Savings and Investment Plan ("Non-Qualified Plan"). The Non-Qualified Plan allows certain employees who do not participate in the EDCP to defer a portion of their salary and invest these amounts in a selection of available diversified investment options. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had recorded a deferred compensation liability of $14.2 million and $14.4 million, respectively, related to these deferrals. Compensation expense is recorded in SG&A expense on the Company's consolidated statements of income based on the change in the deferred compensation obligation related to earnings credited to participants as well as changes in the fair value of diversified investments. The net increase (decrease) in compensation expense recorded in SG&A related to the Non-Qualified Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0.2 million and $(0.1) million, respectively.
	The diversified investments held in the trusts were $12.9 million and $13.1 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and are recorded at their fair value, based on quoted market prices. These investments are considered trading securities and therefore the changes in the fair value of the diversified assets is included in other gains and losses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The Company recorded investment gains related to the Non-Qualified Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 of approximately $77 thousand and $37 thousand, respectively. In addition, the Non-Qualified Plan held shares of the Company's common stock with a market value of $1.4 million and $1.3 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, which are recorded as a component of shareholders' deficit.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements
	The Company estimates the fair value of its financial instruments utilizing a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs, as well as the assets that the Company values using those levels of inputs.
	Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. The Company’s Level 1 assets consist of marketable securities (primarily mutual funds) held in the Company’s EDCP and Non-Qualified Plan deferred compensation plans.
	Level 2: Observable inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable. The Company’s Level 2 assets consist of money market funds held in the Company’s EDCP and Non-Qualified Plan deferred compensation plans and those recorded in cash and cash equivalents.
	Level 3: Unobservable inputs, supported by little or no market data available, where the reporting entity is required to develop its own assumptions to determine the fair value of the instrument.
	The Company's policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out of the three levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the end of each quarterly reporting period. There were no transfers between Level 1, 2 and 3 assets during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had the following assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		Fair Value Measurements at
		Reporting Date Using
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets	(in thousands)
	As of March 31, 2015
	Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents	$	50,001	$	—	$	50,001	$	—
	Mutual funds(1)	17,030		17,030		—		—
	Money market funds(1)	1,063		—		1,063		—
		$	68,094	$	17,030	$	51,064	$	—
	As of December 31, 2014
	Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents	$	50,001	$	—	$	50,001	$	—
	Mutual funds(1)	16,405		16,405		—		—
	Money market funds(1)	1,348		—		1,348		—
		$	67,754	$	16,405	$	51,349	$	—
	________________________
	-1	Included in Investments, employee benefit plans fair value on the consolidated balance sheets.
	Other Financial Instruments
	The Company believes that the fair value of its current assets and current liabilities approximate their reported carrying amounts due to the short-term nature of these items. In addition, the interest rates of the Company's Credit Facility adjust frequently based on current market rates; accordingly its carrying amount approximates fair value.
	The Company estimates the fair value of notes receivable which approximate their carrying value, utilizing an analysis of future cash flows and credit worthiness for similar types of arrangements. Based upon the availability of market data, the notes receivable have been classified as Level 3 inputs. The primary sensitivity in these calculations is based on the selection of appropriate interest and discount rates. For further information on the notes receivables, see Note 3.
	The fair value of the Company's $250 million and $400 million senior notes are classified as Level 2 as the significant inputs are observable in an active market. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the $250 million senior notes had an approximate fair value of $280.0 million and $268.9 million, respectively. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the $400 million senior notes had an approximate fair value of $438.0 million and $437.7 million, respectively.
	Fair values estimated are made at a specific point in time, are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment.  Settlement of such fair value amounts may not be possible and may not be a prudent management decision.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The Company's effective income tax rates for income from continuing operations were 30.4% and 31.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The effective income tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were lower than the U.S federal income tax rate of 35% due to the recurring impact of foreign operations, partially offset by state income taxes. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was further reduced due to the settlement of unrecognized tax positions.

ShareBased_Compensation_and_Ca

Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock	Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock
	The Company granted 0.5 million and 0.7 million options to certain employees of the Company at a fair value of $6.2 million and $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The stock options granted by the Company had an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of the options granted was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
		2015 Grants				2014 Grants
	Risk-free interest rate	1.45		%		1.56		%
	Expected volatility	23.94		%		25.01		%
	Expected life of stock option	4.6 years				4.5 years
	Dividend yield	1.23		%		1.62		%
	Requisite service period	4 years				4 years
	Contractual life	7 years				7 years
	Weighted average fair value of options granted (per option)	$	12.39			$	8.82
	The expected life of the options and volatility are based on historical data which is believed to be indicative of future exercise patterns or actual volatility. Historical volatility is calculated based on a period that corresponds to the expected term of the stock option. The dividend yield and the risk-free rate of return are calculated on the grant date based on the then current dividend rate and the risk-free rate of return for the period corresponding to the expected life of the stock option. Compensation expense related to the fair value of these awards is recognized straight-line over the requisite service period based on those awards that ultimately vest.
	The aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2015 was $50.2 million and $37.0 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $8.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
	The Company received approximately $5.6 million and $1.5 million in proceeds from the exercise of 228,963 and 58,749 employee stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Restricted Stock
	The following table is a summary of activity related to restricted stock grants:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
	Restricted share grants	85,792				129,793
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	63.46			$	46.71
	Aggregate grant date fair value ($000)	$	5,445			$	6,062
	Restricted shares forfeited	4,778				1,332
	Vesting service period of shares granted	3-4 years				4 years
	Fair value of shares vested ($000)	10,684				7,269
	Compensation expense related to the fair value of these awards is recognized straight-line over the requisite service period based on those restricted stock grants that ultimately vest. The fair value of grants is measured by the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock awards generally vest ratably over the service period beginning with the first anniversary of the grant date. Awards granted to retirement eligible non-employee directors are recognized over the shorter of the requisite service period or the length of time until retirement since the terms of the grant provide that the awards will vest upon retirement.
	Performance Vested Restricted Stock Units
	The Company has granted performance vested restricted stock units ("PVRSU") to certain employees. The fair value is measured by the market price of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant. The vesting of these stock awards is contingent upon the Company achieving performance targets at the end of specified performance periods and the employees' continued employment. The performance conditions affect the number of shares that will ultimately vest. The range of possible stock-based award vesting is generally between 0% and 200% of the initial target. If minimum performance targets are not attained then no awards will vest under the terms of the various PVRSU agreements. Compensation expense related to these awards is recognized over the requisite service period based on the Company's estimate of the achievement of the various performance targets. The Company has currently estimated that between 0% and 180% of the various award targets will be achieved. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period only on those PVRSUs that ultimately vest.
	The following table is a summary of activity related to PVRSU grants:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
	Performance vested restricted stock units granted at target	30,353				43,871
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	63.47			$	45.59
	Aggregate grant date fair value ($000)	$	1,927			$	2,000
	Stock units forfeited	—				—
	Requisite service period	3 years				3 years
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, a total of 42,326 PVRSU grants vested at a grant date fair value of $1.5 million. These PVRSU grants were initially granted at a target of 38,476 units. However, since the Company achieved 110% of the targeted performance conditions contained in the stock awards granted in prior periods, an additional 3,850 shares were earned and issued.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, a total of 28,886 PVRSU grants vested at a grant date fair value of $1.4 million. These PVRSU grants were initially granted at a target of 18,635 units. However, since the Company achieved 155% of the targeted performance conditions contained in the stock awards granted in prior periods, an additional 10,251 shares were earned and issued.
	A summary of stock-based award activity as of March 31, 2015 and changes during the three months ended are presented below:
		Stock Options								Restricted Stock				Performance Vested
														Restricted Stock Units
		Options			Weighted				Weighted	Shares		Weighted		Shares		Weighted
					Average				Average			Average				Average
					Exercise				Remaining			Grant Date				Grant Date
					Price				Contractual			Fair Value				Fair Value
									Term
	Outstanding at January 1, 2015	1,903,177			$	33.03				479,556		$	40.14	200,286		$	38.28
	Granted	498,911			$	63.47				85,792		$	63.46	30,353		$	63.47
	Performance based leveraging (1)	—			$	—				—		$	—	3,850		$	35.6
	Exercised/Vested	(228,963	)		$	24.54				(172,165	)	$	38.82	(42,326	)	$	35.6
	Expired	—			$	—				—		$	—	—		$	—
	Forfeited	(3,685	)		$	45.59				(4,778	)	$	39.89	—		$	—
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015	2,169,440			$	40.91			4.6 years	388,405		$	45.88	192,163		$	42.79
	Options exercisable at March 31, 2015	1,057,276			$	29.08			2.9 years
	_________________________________
	(1)PVRSU units outstanding have been increased by 3,850 units due to the Company exceeding the targeted performance conditions contained in PVRSUs granted in prior periods during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	The components of the Company’s pretax share-based compensation expense and associated income tax benefits are as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	(in millions)	2015				2014
	Stock options	$	0.7			$	0.4
	Restricted stock	1.8				1.9
	Performance vested restricted stock units	0.3				0.7
	Total	$	2.8			$	3
Income tax benefits	$	1			$	1.1
Dividends
The Company currently pays a quarterly dividend on its common stock of $0.195 per share, however the declaration of future dividends are subject to the discretion of the board of directors. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company's board of directors declared dividends totaling $0.195 per share or approximately $11.2 million in the aggregate.
In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded dividends totaling $0.5 million related to previously declared dividends that were contingent upon the vesting of performance vested restricted stock units.
Share Repurchases and Redemptions
No shares of common stock were purchased by the Company under the share repurchase program during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company redeemed 102,457 shares of common stock at a total cost of approximately $6.2 million from employees to satisfy the option exercise price and statutory minimum tax-withholding requirements related to the exercising of stock options and vesting of performance vested restricted stock units and restricted stock grants. These redemptions were outside the share repurchase program.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share
	The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2015			2014
	Computation of Basic Earnings Per Share:
	Numerator:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	21,594		$	21,469
	Net income from discontinued operations	—			1,641
	Net income	21,594			23,110
	Income allocated to participating securities	(164		)	(202		)
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	21,430		$	22,908
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	57,003			57,807
	Basic earnings per share - Continuing operations	$	0.38		$	0.37
	Basic earnings per share - Discontinued operations	—			0.03
		$	0.38		$	0.4
	Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share:
	Numerator:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	21,594		$	21,469
	Net income from discontinued operations	—			1,641
	Net income	21,594			23,110
	Income allocated to participating securities	(164		)	(201		)
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	21,430		$	22,909
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	57,003			57,807
	Diluted effect of stock options and PVRSUs	583			493
	Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted	57,586			58,300
	Diluted earnings per share - Continuing operations	$	0.37		$	0.36
	Diluted earnings per share - Discontinued operations	—			0.03
		$	0.37		$	0.39
	The Company's unvested restricted shares contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends, and thus are participating securities requiring the two-class method of computing earnings per share ("EPS"). The calculation of EPS for common stock shown above excludes the income attributable to the unvested restricted share awards from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of those awards from the denominator.
	At March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had 2.2 million and 2.3 million outstanding stock options, respectively. Stock options are included in the diluted earnings per share calculation using the treasury stock method and average market prices during the period, unless the stock options would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company excluded 0.5 million of anti-dilutive stock options from the diluted earnings per share calculation. At March 31, 2014, the Company did not exclude any anti-dilutive stock options from the diluted EPS calculation.
	PVRSUs are also included in the diluted earnings per share calculation when the performance conditions have been met at the reporting date. However, at March 31, 2015 and 2014, PVRSUs totaling 192,163 and 241,578, respectively, were excluded from the computation since the performance conditions had not been met.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
	The Company’s 2010 and 2012 Senior Notes are guaranteed jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally, subject to certain customary limitations, by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries. There are no legal or regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends to Choice Hotels International, Inc. from subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Senior Notes. As a result of the guarantee arrangements, the following condensed consolidating financial statements are presented. Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.
	Choice Hotels International, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(Unaudited, in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
						Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
	REVENUES:
	Royalty fees	$	57,587			$	31,240			$	11,155			$	(37,551	)		$	62,431
	Initial franchise and relicensing fees	5,496				—				221				—				5,717
	Procurement services	4,666				—				141				—				4,807
	Marketing and reservation	88,236				90,385				3,621				(83,529		)		98,713
	Other	3,102				—				475				—				3,577
	Total revenues	159,087				121,625				15,613				(121,080		)		175,245
	OPERATING EXPENSES:
	Selling, general and administrative	38,699				28,052				3,238				(37,551		)		32,438
	Marketing and reservation	92,024				86,811				3,407				(83,529		)		98,713
	Depreciation and amortization	774				1,705				211				—				2,690
	Total operating expenses	131,497				116,568				6,856				(121,080		)		133,841
	Operating income	27,590				5,057				8,757				—				41,404
	OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
	Interest expense	10,032				—				147				—				10,179
	Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(11,332		)		138				—				11,194				—
	Other items, net	(292		)		297				186				—				191
	Total other income and expenses, net	(1,592		)		435				333				11,194				10,370
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	29,182				4,622				8,424				(11,194		)		31,034
	Income taxes	7,588				2,284				(432		)		—				9,440
	Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	21,594				2,338				8,856				(11,194		)		21,594
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—				—				—				—				—
	Net income	$	21,594			$	2,338			$	8,856			$	(11,194	)		$	21,594
	Choice Hotels International, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(Unaudited, in thousands)
			Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
							Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
	REVENUES:
	Royalty fees		$	52,995			$	24,215			$	10,522			$	(29,192	)		$	58,540
	Initial franchise and relicensing fees		3,584				—				156				—				3,740
	Procurement services		4,631				—				147				—				4,778
	Marketing and reservation		78,821				73,899				4,135				(67,249		)		89,606
	Other		2,956				—				116				—				3,072
	Total revenues		142,987				98,114				15,076				(96,441		)		159,736
	OPERATING EXPENSES:
	Selling, general and administrative		30,574				22,091				3,207				(29,192		)		26,680
	Marketing and reservation		81,585				70,944				4,326				(67,249		)		89,606
	Depreciation and amortization		751				1,318				209				—				2,278
	Total operating expenses		112,910				94,353				7,742				(96,441		)		118,564
	Operating income		30,077				3,761				7,334				—				41,172
	OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
	Interest expense		10,168				1				2				—				10,171
	Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		(10,926		)		61				—				10,865				—
	Other items, net		(428		)		(67		)		(32		)		—				(527		)
	Total other income and expenses, net		(1,186		)		(5		)		(30		)		10,865				9,644
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes		31,263				3,766				7,364				(10,865		)		31,528
	Income taxes		8,153				1,804				102				—				10,059
	Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes		23,110				1,962				7,262				(10,865		)		21,469
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		—				1,641				—				—				1,641
	Net income		$	23,110			$	3,603			$	7,262			$	(10,865	)		$	23,110
	Choice Hotels International, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
					Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
Net income	$	21,594			$	2,338			$	8,856			$	(11,194	)		$	21,594
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge	215				—				—				—				215
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,447		)		—				(1,447		)		1,447				(1,447		)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(1,232		)		—				(1,447		)		1,447				(1,232		)
Comprehensive income	$	20,362			$	2,338			$	7,409			$	(9,747	)		$	20,362
Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
					Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
Net income	$	23,110			$	3,603			$	7,262			$	(10,865	)		$	23,110
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge	215				—				—				—				215
Foreign currency translation adjustment	521				—				521				(521		)		521
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	736				—				521				(521		)		736
Comprehensive income	$	23,846			$	3,603			$	7,783			$	(11,386	)		$	23,846
Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2015
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
					Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,460			$	20			$	195,064			$	—			$	200,544
Receivables, net	92,210				1,856				7,947				—				102,013
Other current assets	15,840				44,814				3,071				(9,010		)		54,715
Total current assets	113,510				46,690				206,082				(9,010		)		357,272
Property and equipment, at cost, net	28,756				37,171				14,130				—				80,057
Goodwill	60,620				5,193				—				—				65,813
Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net	3,766				1,323				2,912				—				8,001
Notes receivable, net of allowances	11,783				36,319				679				—				48,781
Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value	—				17,916				—				—				17,916
Investment in affiliates	438,965				29,443				—				(468,408		)		—
Advances to affiliates	16,594				201,673				8,706				(226,973		)		—
Deferred income taxes	11,706				7,132				83				—				18,921
Other assets	6,691				25,009				32,661				—				64,361
Total assets	$	692,391			$	407,869			$	265,253			$	(704,391	)		$	661,122
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Accounts payable	$	10,035			$	41,405			$	3,191			$	—			$	54,631
Accrued expenses	19,294				18,140				1,980				—				39,414
Deferred revenue	12,620				60,672				616				—				73,908
Current portion of long-term debt	11,250				725				387				—				12,362
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	—				177				—				—				177
Other current liabilities	—				10,406				—				(9,010		)		1,396
Total current liabilities	53,199				131,525				6,174				(9,010		)		181,888
Long-term debt	785,665				3,783				10,180				—				799,628
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	—				24,246				13				—				24,259
Advances from affiliates	219,024				414				7,535				(226,973		)		—
Other liabilities	47,996				18,044				2,800				—				68,840
Total liabilities	1,105,884				178,012				26,702				(235,983		)		1,074,615
Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity	(413,493		)		229,857				238,551				(468,408		)		(413,493		)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit	$	692,391			$	407,869			$	265,253			$	(704,391	)		$	661,122
Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2014
(in thousands)
	Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
					Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	25,290			$	25			$	189,564			$	—			$	214,879
Receivables, net	82,195				1,194				8,292				—				91,681
Other current assets	25,152				33,585				1,875				(15,758		)		44,854
Total current assets	132,637				34,804				199,731				(15,758		)		351,414
Property and equipment, at cost, net	25,300				37,675				14,334				—				77,309
Goodwill	60,620				5,193				—				—				65,813
Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net	4,380				1,479				3,053				—				8,912
Notes receivable, net of allowances	11,847				27,895				699				—				40,441
Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value	—				17,539				—				—				17,539
Investment in affiliates	424,600				31,139				—				(455,739		)		—
Advances to affiliates	15,670				222,500				7,793				(245,963		)		—
Deferred income taxes	9,418				10,429				699				—				20,546
Other assets	7,228				23,891				34,177				—				65,296
Total assets	$	691,700			$	412,544			$	260,486			$	(717,460	)		$	647,270
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Accounts payable	$	15,588			$	37,970			$	3,566			$	—			$	57,124
Accrued expenses	28,719				32,649				2,162				—				63,530
Deferred revenue	8,467				57,339				576				—				66,382
Current portion of long-term debt	11,250				718				381				—				12,349
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	—				628				—				—				628
Other current liabilities	—				15,843				—				(15,758		)		85
Total current liabilities	64,024				145,147				6,685				(15,758		)		200,098
Long-term debt	767,760				3,966				10,356				—				782,082
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	—				23,978				9				—				23,987
Advances from affiliates	237,973				341				7,649				(245,963		)		—
Other liabilities	50,744				16,116				3,044				—				69,904
Total liabilities	1,120,501				189,548				27,743				(261,721		)		1,076,071
Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity	(428,801		)		222,996				232,743				(455,739		)		(428,801		)
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	$	691,700			$	412,544			$	260,486			$	(717,460	)		$	647,270
Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
					Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$	(20,715	)		$	(2,457	)		$	7,337			$	—			$	(15,835	)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in property and equipment	(4,712		)		(2,060		)		(32		)		—				(6,804		)
Proceeds from sales of assets	—				—				1,592				—				1,592
Equity method investments	—				(1,177		)		(744		)		—				(1,921		)
Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans	—				(1,089		)		—				—				(1,089		)
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans	—				925				—				—				925
Collections of mezzanine and other notes receivable	105				—				—				—				105
Advances to and investments in affiliates	—				(35		)		—				35				—
Divestment in affiliates	—				1,592				—				(1,592		)		—
Other items, net	(77		)		—				—				—				(77		)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(4,684		)		(1,844		)		816				(1,557		)		(7,269		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility	20,700				—				—				—				20,700
Principal payments on long-term debt	(2,813		)		(177		)		(92		)		—				(3,082		)
Proceeds from contributions from affiliates	—				—				35				(35		)		—
Distributions to affiliates	—				—				(1,592		)		1,592				—
Purchases of treasury stock	(6,227		)		—				—				—				(6,227		)
Dividends paid	(11,710		)		—				—				—				(11,710		)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	—				4,473				—				—				4,473
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	5,619				—				—				—				5,619
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	5,569				4,296				(1,649		)		1,557				9,773
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(19,830		)		(5		)		6,504				—				(13,331		)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—				—				(1,004		)		—				(1,004		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	25,290				25				189,564				—				214,879
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	5,460			$	20			$	195,064			$	—			$	200,544
Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(Unaudited, in thousands)
	Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
					Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$	4,252			$	(5,359	)		$	6,371			$	—			$	5,264
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in property and equipment	(1,359		)		(1,444		)		(212		)		—				(3,015		)
Equity method investments	—				(98		)		(3,281		)		—				(3,379		)
Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans	—				(890		)		—				—				(890		)
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans	—				281				—				—				281
Issuance of mezzanine and other notes receivable	(587		)		—				—				—				(587		)
Collections of mezzanine and other notes receivable	68				—				—				—				68
Proceeds from sale of assets	—				8,703				—				—				8,703
Advances to and investments in affiliates	(1,000		)		(2,314		)		—				3,314				—
Other items, net	(154		)		—				—				—				(154		)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(3,032		)		4,238				(3,493		)		3,314				1,027
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility	15,000				—				—				—				15,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(1,875		)		(174		)		(3		)		—				(2,052		)
Purchase of treasury stock	(4,530		)		—				—				—				(4,530		)
Dividends paid	(10,784		)		—				—				—				(10,784		)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	—				1,024				—				—				1,024
Proceeds from contributions from affiliates	—				—				3,314				(3,314		)		—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,547				—				—				—				1,547
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(642		)		850				3,311				(3,314		)		205
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	578				(271		)		6,189				—				6,496
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—				—				587				—				587
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,785				569				157,441				—				167,795
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	10,363			$	298			$	164,217			$	—			$	174,878

Reportable_Segment_Information

Reportable Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable Segment Information	Reportable Segment Information
	Franchising: Franchising includes the Company's hotel franchising operations consisting of its eleven brands. The eleven brands are aggregated within this segment considering their similar economic characteristics, types of customers, distribution channels and regulatory business environments. Revenues from the franchising business include royalty fees, initial franchise and relicensing fees, marketing and reservation system fees, procurement services revenue and other franchising related revenue. The Company is obligated under its franchise agreements to provide marketing and reservation services appropriate for the operation of its systems. These services do not represent separate reportable segments as their operations are directly related to the Company's franchising business. The revenues received from franchisees that are used to pay for part of the Company's ongoing operations are included in franchising revenues and are offset by the related expenses paid for marketing and reservation activities to calculate franchising operating income.
	SkyTouch Technology: SkyTouch Technology ("SkyTouch") is a division of the Company that develops and markets cloud-based technology products to hoteliers not under franchise agreements with the Company.
	The Company evaluates its segments based primarily on the results of the segment without allocating corporate expenses, income taxes or indirect general and administrative expenses. Equity in earnings or losses from franchising related joint ventures is allocated to the Company's franchising segment. Corporate and Other revenue and expenses consist primarily of overhead selling, general and administrative costs such as finance, legal, human resources and other general administrative expenses that are not allocated to the Company's two segments and activity related to the ownership of a commercial office building leased to a third party. As described in Note 4, certain interest expenses related to the Company's marketing and reservation activities are allocated to the franchising segment. The Company does not allocate the remaining interest expense, interest income, other gains and losses or income taxes to its segments.
	The following table presents the financial information for the Company's segments:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015										Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(In thousands)	Franchising		SkyTouch Technology			Corporate &			Consolidated		Franchising		SkyTouch Technology			Corporate &			Consolidated
							Other										Other
	Revenues	$	174,642	$	270		$	333		$	175,245	$	159,683	$	53		$	—		$	159,736
	Operating income (loss)	$	57,457	$	(5,430	)	$	(10,623	)	$	41,404	$	54,210	$	(3,506	)	$	(9,532	)	$	41,172
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	56,452	$	(5,430	)	$	(19,988	)	$	31,034	$	54,219	$	(3,506	)	$	(19,185	)	$	31,528

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company is not a party to any litigation other than litigation in the ordinary course of business. The Company's management and legal counsel do not expect that the ultimate outcome of any of its currently ongoing legal proceedings, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Contingencies
	On October 9, 2012, the Company entered into a limited payment guaranty with regards to a VIE's $18.0 million bank loan for the construction of a hotel franchised under one of the Company's brands in the United States. Under the terms of the limited guaranty, the Company has agreed to guarantee 25% of the outstanding principal balance for a maximum exposure of $4.5 million and accrued and unpaid interest, as well as any unpaid expenses incurred by the lender. The limited guaranty shall remain in effect until the maximum amount guaranteed by the Company is paid in full. In addition to the limited guaranty, the Company entered into an agreement in which the Company guarantees the completion of the construction of the hotel and an environmental indemnity agreement which indemnifies the lending institution from and against any damages relating to or arising out of possible environmental contamination issues with regards to the property.
	On November 15, 2013, the Company entered into a limited payment guaranty with regards to a VIE's $46.2 million bank loan for the construction of a hotel franchised under one of the Company's brands in the United States. Under the terms of the limited guaranty, the Company has agreed to unconditionally guarantee and become surety for the full and timely payment of the guaranteed outstanding principal balance, as well as any unpaid expenses incurred by the lender. The guarantee is limited to 25% of the outstanding principal balance of the $46.2 million loan due at any time for a maximum exposure of $11.6 million. The limited guaranty shall remain in effect until the maximum amount guaranteed by the Company is repaid in full. The maturity date of the VIE's loan is May 2017. In conjunction with this guaranty, the Company has entered into a reimbursement and guaranty agreement with certain individuals that requires them to reimburse the Company in an amount equal to 75% of any payments made by the Company under this limited payment guaranty.
	The Company believes the likelihood of having to perform under the aforementiond limited payment guarantees was remote at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Commitments
	The Company has the following commitments outstanding at March 31, 2015:
	•	The Company occasionally provides financing in the form of forgivable promissory notes or cash incentives to franchisees for property improvements, hotel development efforts and other purposes. At March 31, 2015, the Company had commitments to extend an additional $32.5 million for these purposes provided certain conditions are met by its franchisees, of which $12.1 million is expected to be advanced in the next twelve months.
	•	The Company committed to make additional capital contributions totaling $2.1 million to existing joint ventures related to the construction of various hotels to be operated under the Company's Cambria Suites brand. These commitments are expected to be funded in the next twelve months.
	In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into numerous agreements that contain standard indemnities whereby the Company indemnifies another party for breaches of representations and warranties. Such indemnifications are granted under various agreements, including those governing (i) purchases or sales of assets or businesses, (ii) leases of real estate, (iii) licensing of trademarks, (iv) access to credit facilities, (v) issuances of debt or equity securities, and (vi) certain operating agreements. The indemnifications issued are for the benefit of the (i) buyers in sale agreements and sellers in purchase agreements, (ii) landlords in lease contracts, (iii) franchisees in licensing agreements, (iv) financial institutions in credit facility arrangements, (v) underwriters in debt or equity security issuances and (vi) parties under certain operating agreements. In addition, these parties are also generally indemnified against any third party claim resulting from the transaction that is contemplated in the underlying agreement. While some of these indemnities extend only for the duration of the underlying agreement, many survive the expiration of the term of the agreement or extend into perpetuity (unless subject to a legal statute of limitations). There are no specific limitations on the maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnities, nor is the Company able to develop an estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments to be made under these indemnifications as the triggering events are not subject to predictability. With respect to certain of the aforementioned indemnities, such as indemnifications of landlords against third party claims for the use of real estate property leased by the Company, the Company maintains insurance coverage that mitigates potential liability.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations
	In the first quarter of 2014, the Company's management approved a plan to sell the three Company-owned hotels operated under the MainStay Suites brand and completed the disposal of these hotels during 2014. The Company determined that this disposal transaction met the definition of a discontinued operation since the operations and cash flows of this component has been eliminated from the on-going operations of the Company and the Company will not have significant continuing involvement in the operations of the hotels after the disposal transaction.
	The operations related to these three Company-owned hotels were reported as a component of "Corporate and Other" for segment reporting purposes. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and the Company's financial position as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 presented in these Consolidated Financial Statements reflect these three Company-owned hotels as discontinued operations. Summarized financial information related to the discontinued operations is as follows:
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Revenues
	Hotel operations		$	—	$	690
	Total revenues		—		690
	Expenses
	Hotel operations		—		662
	Total operating expenses		—		662
	Operating income		—		28
	Gain on disposal of discontinued operations		—		2,581
	Income from discontinued operations before income taxes		—		2,609
	Income taxes		—		968
	Income from discontinued operations		$	—	$	1,641
			As of March 31, 2015		As of December 31, 2014
			(in thousands)
	Total assets		$	—	$	—
	Accounts payable		$	—	$	45
	Income taxes payable		—		994
	Total liabilities		$	—	$	1,039
	Net assets (liabilities) of discontinued operations		$	—	$	(1,039	)

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events
	On May 1, 2015, the Company's board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 0.195 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on July 15, 2015 to stockholders of record on July 1, 2015. Based on the Company's share count at March 31, 2015, total dividends to be paid are expected to be approximately $11.2 million.

Company_Information_and_Signif1

Company Information and Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations
	In the first quarter of 2014, the Company's management approved a plan to dispose of the three Company owned Mainstay Suites hotels. As a result, the Company has reported the operations related to these three hotels as discontinued operations in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. For additional information regarding discontinued operations, see Note 17, Discontinued Operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $6.7 million and $5.4 million, respectively, of book overdrafts representing outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit are included in accounts payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	The Company maintains cash balances in domestic banks, which at times, may exceed the limits of amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In addition, as of March 31, 2015, the Company maintains cash balances of $195.1 million in international banks which do not provide deposit insurance.
New Accounting Guidance	Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant, and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity ("ASU No. 2014-08"). ASU No. 2014-08 changes the definition of a discontinued operation to include only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. ASU No. 2014-08 is effective for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2015 and it did not have a material impact on its financial statements.
	Future Adoption of Recently Announced Accounting Guidance
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"), which impacts virtually all aspects of an entity's revenue recognition. ASU No. 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, as well as most industry-specific guidance, and significantly enhances comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities and industries by providing a principles-based, comprehensive framework for addressing revenue recognition issues. In order for a provider of promised goods or services to recognize as revenue the consideration that it expects to receive in exchange for the promised goods or services, the provider should apply the following five steps: (1) identify the contract with a customer(s); (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU No. 2014-09 also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer and provides enhanced disclosure requirements. The FASB has tentatively deferred ASU No. 2014-09 for one year, and with that deferral, the standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, which will be our 2018 first quarter. We are permitted to use either the retrospective or modified retrospective method when adopting ASU No. 2014-09. We are still assessing the potential impact that ASU No. 2014-09 will have on its financial statements and disclosures.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20) (“ASU No. 2015-01”). ASU No. 2015-01 was issued changing the requirements for reporting extraordinary and unusual items in the income statement. The update eliminates the concept of extraordinary items. The presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently will be retained and will be expanded to include items that are both unusual in nature and infrequently occurring. ASU No. 2015-01 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The adoption of this newly issued guidance is not expected to have an impact to our consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) (“ASU No. 2015-02”). ASU No. 2015-02 changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. This guidance must be applied using one of two retrospective application methods and will be effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this newly issued guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) (“ASU No. 2015-03”). ASU No. 2015-03 changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in the financial statements to present such costs as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of debt issuance costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted and the standard is to be applied on retrospective basis. The Company currently does not believe that ASU No. 2015-03 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles-Goodwill - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) (“ASU No. 2015-05”). ASU No. 2015-05 provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license or should be accounted for as a service contract. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted and an entity can elect to adopt the amendment either (1) prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date or (2) retrospectively. The adoption of this newly issued guidance is not expected to have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

Other_Current_Assets_Tables

Other Current Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Schedule Of Other Current Assets	Other current assets consist of the following:
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Notes receivable, net of allowances (See Note 3)	$	3,966	$	3,961
	Prepaid expenses	19,653		12,280
	Other current assets	5,245		3,081
	Total	$	28,864	$	19,322

Notes_Receivable_and_Allowance1

Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Schedule Of Notes Receivable	The following table shows the composition of our notes receivable balances:
		March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)								(in thousands)
	Credit Quality Indicator	Forgivable			Mezzanine			Total		Forgivable		Mezzanine		Total
		Notes			& Other					Notes		& Other
		Receivable			Notes					Receivable		Notes
					Receivable							Receivable
	Senior	$	—		$	10,152		$	10,152	$	—	$	10,152	$	10,152
	Subordinated	—			3,844			3,844		—		3,863		3,863
	Unsecured	41,558			3,888			45,446		32,379		3,995		36,374
	Total notes receivable	41,558			17,884			59,442		32,379		18,010		50,389
	Allowance for losses on non-impaired loans	4,399			1,510			5,909		3,661		1,540		5,201
	Allowance for losses on receivables specifically evaluated for impairment	—			786			786		—		786		786
	Total loan reserves	4,399			2,296			6,695		3,661		2,326		5,987
	Net carrying value	$	37,159		$	15,588		$	52,747	$	28,718	$	15,684	$	44,402
	Current portion, net	$	162		$	3,804		$	3,966	$	124	$	3,837	$	3,961
	Long-term portion, net	36,997			11,784			48,781		28,594		11,847		40,441
	Total	$	37,159		$	15,588		$	52,747	$	28,718	$	15,684	$	44,402
Summary Of Activity Related To Allowance For Losses	The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s Forgivable Notes Receivable and Mezzanine and Other Notes Receivable allowance for losses for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Forgivable			Mezzanine
		Notes			& Other  Notes
		Receivable			Receivable
		(in thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	3,661		$	2,326
	Provisions	952			—
	Recoveries	(194		)	(30		)
	Write-offs	(149		)	—
	Other(1)	129			—
	Ending balance	$	4,399		$	2,296
	(1) Consists of default rate assumption changes
Forgivable Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Past Due Balances Of Notes Receivable	Past due balances of forgivable notes receivable are as follows:
		30-89 days			> 90 days			Total		Current		Total
		Past Due			Past Due			Past Due				Notes Receivable
		(in thousands)
	As of March 31, 2015
	Forgivable Notes	$	—		$	1,168		$	1,168	$	40,390	$	41,558
		$	—		$	1,168		$	1,168	$	40,390	$	41,558
	As of December 31, 2014
	Forgivable Notes	$	—		$	1,227		$	1,227	$	31,152	$	32,379
		$	—		$	1,227		$	1,227	$	31,152	$	32,379
Mezzanine & Other Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Past Due Balances Of Notes Receivable	Past due balances of mezzanine and other notes receivable by credit quality indicators are as follows:
		30-89 days			> 90 days			Total		Current		Total
		Past Due			Past Due			Past Due				Notes Receivable
		(in thousands)
	As of March 31, 2015
	Senior	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	10,152	$	10,152
	Subordinated	3,359			—			3,359		485		3,844
	Unsecured	—			47			47		3,841		3,888
		$	3,359		$	47		$	3,406	$	14,478	$	17,884
	As of December 31, 2014
	Senior	$	—		$	—		$	—	$	10,152	$	10,152
	Subordinated	—			—			—		3,863		3,863
	Unsecured	—			47			47		3,948		3,995
		$	—		$	47		$	47	$	17,963	$	18,010

Other_Assets_Table

Other Assets (Table)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Components Of Other Assets	Other assets consist of the following:
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Equity method investments	$	51,239	$	50,605
	Deferred financing fees, net	6,690		7,228
	Land	2,711		4,011
	Other assets	3,721		3,452
	Total	$	64,361	$	65,296

Deferred_Revenue_Tables

Deferred Revenue (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Deferred Revenue and Credits [Abstract]
Components Of Deferred Revenue	Deferred revenue consists of the following:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Loyalty programs	$	61,092	$	57,757
	Initial, relicensing and franchise fees	4,973		6,439
	Procurement service fees	2,711		1,936
	Other	5,132		250
	Total	$	73,908	$	66,382

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Components Of Debt	Debt consists of the following at:
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	$400 million senior unsecured notes with an effective interest rate of 6.0% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	$	400,000	$	400,000
	$250 million senior unsecured notes with an effective interest rate of 6.19% less discount of $0.3 million and $0.4 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	249,652		249,636
	$350 million senior secured credit facility with an effective interest rate of 2.26% and 2.17% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	147,263		129,375
	Fixed rate collateralized mortgage plus a fair value adjustment of $1.1 million and $1.2 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively with an effective interest rate of 4.57%	10,502		10,667
	Economic development loans with an effective interest rate of 3.00% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	3,536		3,536
	Capital lease obligations due 2016 with an effective interest rate of 3.18% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	971		1,149
	Other notes payable	66		68
	Total debt	$	811,990	$	794,431
	Less current portion	12,362		12,349
	Total long-term debt	$	799,628	$	782,082

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The following represents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Loss on Cash Flow Hedge			Foreign Currency Items			Total
		(in thousands)
	Beginning balance, December 31, 2014	$	(4,884	)	$	(2,087	)	$	(6,971	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	—			(1,447		)	(1,447		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	215			—			215
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	215			(1,447		)	(1,232		)
	Ending balance, March 31, 2015	$	(4,669	)	$	(3,534	)	$	(8,203	)
Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during the three months ended March 31, 2015 were reclassified to the following line items in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Component		Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income(Loss)			Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statement of Net Income
			Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
			(in thousands)
	Loss on cash flow hedge
	Interest rate contract		$	215		Interest expense
			—			Tax (expense) benefit
			$	215		Net of tax

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Assets	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had the following assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		Fair Value Measurements at
		Reporting Date Using
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets	(in thousands)
	As of March 31, 2015
	Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents	$	50,001	$	—	$	50,001	$	—
	Mutual funds(1)	17,030		17,030		—		—
	Money market funds(1)	1,063		—		1,063		—
		$	68,094	$	17,030	$	51,064	$	—
	As of December 31, 2014
	Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents	$	50,001	$	—	$	50,001	$	—
	Mutual funds(1)	16,405		16,405		—		—
	Money market funds(1)	1,348		—		1,348		—
		$	67,754	$	16,405	$	51,349	$	—
	________________________
	-1	Included in Investments, employee benefit plans fair value on the consolidated balance sheets.

ShareBased_Compensation_and_Ca1

Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Weighted Average Assumptions Of Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model	The fair value of the options granted was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
		2015 Grants				2014 Grants
	Risk-free interest rate	1.45		%		1.56		%
	Expected volatility	23.94		%		25.01		%
	Expected life of stock option	4.6 years				4.5 years
	Dividend yield	1.23		%		1.62		%
	Requisite service period	4 years				4 years
	Contractual life	7 years				7 years
	Weighted average fair value of options granted (per option)	$	12.39			$	8.82
Summary Of Activity Related To Restricted Stock Grants	The following table is a summary of activity related to restricted stock grants:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
	Restricted share grants	85,792				129,793
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	63.46			$	46.71
	Aggregate grant date fair value ($000)	$	5,445			$	6,062
	Restricted shares forfeited	4,778				1,332
	Vesting service period of shares granted	3-4 years				4 years
	Fair value of shares vested ($000)	10,684				7,269
Summary Of Activity Related To PVRSU Grants	The following table is a summary of activity related to PVRSU grants:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
	Performance vested restricted stock units granted at target	30,353				43,871
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	63.47			$	45.59
	Aggregate grant date fair value ($000)	$	1,927			$	2,000
	Stock units forfeited	—				—
	Requisite service period	3 years				3 years
Summary Of Change In Stock-Based Award Activity	A summary of stock-based award activity as of March 31, 2015 and changes during the three months ended are presented below:
		Stock Options								Restricted Stock				Performance Vested
														Restricted Stock Units
		Options			Weighted				Weighted	Shares		Weighted		Shares		Weighted
					Average				Average			Average				Average
					Exercise				Remaining			Grant Date				Grant Date
					Price				Contractual			Fair Value				Fair Value
									Term
	Outstanding at January 1, 2015	1,903,177			$	33.03				479,556		$	40.14	200,286		$	38.28
	Granted	498,911			$	63.47				85,792		$	63.46	30,353		$	63.47
	Performance based leveraging (1)	—			$	—				—		$	—	3,850		$	35.6
	Exercised/Vested	(228,963	)		$	24.54				(172,165	)	$	38.82	(42,326	)	$	35.6
	Expired	—			$	—				—		$	—	—		$	—
	Forfeited	(3,685	)		$	45.59				(4,778	)	$	39.89	—		$	—
	Outstanding at March 31, 2015	2,169,440			$	40.91			4.6 years	388,405		$	45.88	192,163		$	42.79
	Options exercisable at March 31, 2015	1,057,276			$	29.08			2.9 years
	_________________________________
	(1)PVRSU units outstanding have been increased by 3,850 units due to the Company exceeding the targeted performance conditions contained in PVRSUs granted in prior periods during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Pre-Tax Stock-Based Compensation Expenses And Associated Income Tax Benefits	The components of the Company’s pretax share-based compensation expense and associated income tax benefits are as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	(in millions)	2015				2014
	Stock options	$	0.7			$	0.4
	Restricted stock	1.8				1.9
	Performance vested restricted stock units	0.3				0.7
	Total	$	2.8			$	3
	Income tax benefits	$	1			$	1.1

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2015			2014
	Computation of Basic Earnings Per Share:
	Numerator:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	21,594		$	21,469
	Net income from discontinued operations	—			1,641
	Net income	21,594			23,110
	Income allocated to participating securities	(164		)	(202		)
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	21,430		$	22,908
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	57,003			57,807
	Basic earnings per share - Continuing operations	$	0.38		$	0.37
	Basic earnings per share - Discontinued operations	—			0.03
		$	0.38		$	0.4
	Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share:
	Numerator:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	21,594		$	21,469
	Net income from discontinued operations	—			1,641
	Net income	21,594			23,110
	Income allocated to participating securities	(164		)	(201		)
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	21,430		$	22,909
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	57,003			57,807
	Diluted effect of stock options and PVRSUs	583			493
	Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted	57,586			58,300
	Diluted earnings per share - Continuing operations	$	0.37		$	0.36
	Diluted earnings per share - Discontinued operations	—			0.03
		$	0.37		$	0.39

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Income	Choice Hotels International, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(Unaudited, in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
						Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
	REVENUES:
	Royalty fees	$	57,587			$	31,240			$	11,155			$	(37,551	)		$	62,431
	Initial franchise and relicensing fees	5,496				—				221				—				5,717
	Procurement services	4,666				—				141				—				4,807
	Marketing and reservation	88,236				90,385				3,621				(83,529		)		98,713
	Other	3,102				—				475				—				3,577
	Total revenues	159,087				121,625				15,613				(121,080		)		175,245
	OPERATING EXPENSES:
	Selling, general and administrative	38,699				28,052				3,238				(37,551		)		32,438
	Marketing and reservation	92,024				86,811				3,407				(83,529		)		98,713
	Depreciation and amortization	774				1,705				211				—				2,690
	Total operating expenses	131,497				116,568				6,856				(121,080		)		133,841
	Operating income	27,590				5,057				8,757				—				41,404
	OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
	Interest expense	10,032				—				147				—				10,179
	Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(11,332		)		138				—				11,194				—
	Other items, net	(292		)		297				186				—				191
	Total other income and expenses, net	(1,592		)		435				333				11,194				10,370
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	29,182				4,622				8,424				(11,194		)		31,034
	Income taxes	7,588				2,284				(432		)		—				9,440
	Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	21,594				2,338				8,856				(11,194		)		21,594
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—				—				—				—				—
	Net income	$	21,594			$	2,338			$	8,856			$	(11,194	)		$	21,594
	Choice Hotels International, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(Unaudited, in thousands)
			Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
							Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
	REVENUES:
	Royalty fees		$	52,995			$	24,215			$	10,522			$	(29,192	)		$	58,540
	Initial franchise and relicensing fees		3,584				—				156				—				3,740
	Procurement services		4,631				—				147				—				4,778
	Marketing and reservation		78,821				73,899				4,135				(67,249		)		89,606
	Other		2,956				—				116				—				3,072
	Total revenues		142,987				98,114				15,076				(96,441		)		159,736
	OPERATING EXPENSES:
	Selling, general and administrative		30,574				22,091				3,207				(29,192		)		26,680
	Marketing and reservation		81,585				70,944				4,326				(67,249		)		89,606
	Depreciation and amortization		751				1,318				209				—				2,278
	Total operating expenses		112,910				94,353				7,742				(96,441		)		118,564
	Operating income		30,077				3,761				7,334				—				41,172
	OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
	Interest expense		10,168				1				2				—				10,171
	Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		(10,926		)		61				—				10,865				—
	Other items, net		(428		)		(67		)		(32		)		—				(527		)
	Total other income and expenses, net		(1,186		)		(5		)		(30		)		10,865				9,644
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes		31,263				3,766				7,364				(10,865		)		31,528
	Income taxes		8,153				1,804				102				—				10,059
	Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes		23,110				1,962				7,262				(10,865		)		21,469
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		—				1,641				—				—				1,641
	Net income		$	23,110			$	3,603			$	7,262			$	(10,865	)		$	23,110
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income	Choice Hotels International, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(Unaudited, in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
						Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
	Net income	$	21,594			$	2,338			$	8,856			$	(11,194	)		$	21,594
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
	Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge	215				—				—				—				215
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,447		)		—				(1,447		)		1,447				(1,447		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(1,232		)		—				(1,447		)		1,447				(1,232		)
	Comprehensive income	$	20,362			$	2,338			$	7,409			$	(9,747	)		$	20,362
	Choice Hotels International, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(Unaudited, in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
						Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
	Net income	$	23,110			$	3,603			$	7,262			$	(10,865	)		$	23,110
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
	Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge	215				—				—				—				215
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	521				—				521				(521		)		521
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	736				—				521				(521		)		736
	Comprehensive income	$	23,846			$	3,603			$	7,783			$	(11,386	)		$	23,846
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	Choice Hotels International, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of March 31, 2015
	(Unaudited, in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
						Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,460			$	20			$	195,064			$	—			$	200,544
	Receivables, net	92,210				1,856				7,947				—				102,013
	Other current assets	15,840				44,814				3,071				(9,010		)		54,715
	Total current assets	113,510				46,690				206,082				(9,010		)		357,272
	Property and equipment, at cost, net	28,756				37,171				14,130				—				80,057
	Goodwill	60,620				5,193				—				—				65,813
	Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net	3,766				1,323				2,912				—				8,001
	Notes receivable, net of allowances	11,783				36,319				679				—				48,781
	Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value	—				17,916				—				—				17,916
	Investment in affiliates	438,965				29,443				—				(468,408		)		—
	Advances to affiliates	16,594				201,673				8,706				(226,973		)		—
	Deferred income taxes	11,706				7,132				83				—				18,921
	Other assets	6,691				25,009				32,661				—				64,361
	Total assets	$	692,391			$	407,869			$	265,253			$	(704,391	)		$	661,122
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
	Accounts payable	$	10,035			$	41,405			$	3,191			$	—			$	54,631
	Accrued expenses	19,294				18,140				1,980				—				39,414
	Deferred revenue	12,620				60,672				616				—				73,908
	Current portion of long-term debt	11,250				725				387				—				12,362
	Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	—				177				—				—				177
	Other current liabilities	—				10,406				—				(9,010		)		1,396
	Total current liabilities	53,199				131,525				6,174				(9,010		)		181,888
	Long-term debt	785,665				3,783				10,180				—				799,628
	Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	—				24,246				13				—				24,259
	Advances from affiliates	219,024				414				7,535				(226,973		)		—
	Other liabilities	47,996				18,044				2,800				—				68,840
	Total liabilities	1,105,884				178,012				26,702				(235,983		)		1,074,615
	Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity	(413,493		)		229,857				238,551				(468,408		)		(413,493		)
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit	$	692,391			$	407,869			$	265,253			$	(704,391	)		$	661,122
	Choice Hotels International, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of December 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
						Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	25,290			$	25			$	189,564			$	—			$	214,879
	Receivables, net	82,195				1,194				8,292				—				91,681
	Other current assets	25,152				33,585				1,875				(15,758		)		44,854
	Total current assets	132,637				34,804				199,731				(15,758		)		351,414
	Property and equipment, at cost, net	25,300				37,675				14,334				—				77,309
	Goodwill	60,620				5,193				—				—				65,813
	Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net	4,380				1,479				3,053				—				8,912
	Notes receivable, net of allowances	11,847				27,895				699				—				40,441
	Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value	—				17,539				—				—				17,539
	Investment in affiliates	424,600				31,139				—				(455,739		)		—
	Advances to affiliates	15,670				222,500				7,793				(245,963		)		—
	Deferred income taxes	9,418				10,429				699				—				20,546
	Other assets	7,228				23,891				34,177				—				65,296
	Total assets	$	691,700			$	412,544			$	260,486			$	(717,460	)		$	647,270
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
	Accounts payable	$	15,588			$	37,970			$	3,566			$	—			$	57,124
	Accrued expenses	28,719				32,649				2,162				—				63,530
	Deferred revenue	8,467				57,339				576				—				66,382
	Current portion of long-term debt	11,250				718				381				—				12,349
	Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	—				628				—				—				628
	Other current liabilities	—				15,843				—				(15,758		)		85
Total current liabilities	64,024				145,147				6,685				(15,758		)		200,098
Long-term debt	767,760				3,966				10,356				—				782,082
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	—				23,978				9				—				23,987
Advances from affiliates	237,973				341				7,649				(245,963		)		—
Other liabilities	50,744				16,116				3,044				—				69,904
Total liabilities	1,120,501				189,548				27,743				(261,721		)		1,076,071
Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity	(428,801		)		222,996				232,743				(455,739		)		(428,801		)
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	$	691,700			$	412,544			$	260,486			$	(717,460	)		$	647,270
Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows	Choice Hotels International, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(Unaudited, in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
						Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
	Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$	(20,715	)		$	(2,457	)		$	7,337			$	—			$	(15,835	)
	CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
	Investment in property and equipment	(4,712		)		(2,060		)		(32		)		—				(6,804		)
	Proceeds from sales of assets	—				—				1,592				—				1,592
	Equity method investments	—				(1,177		)		(744		)		—				(1,921		)
	Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans	—				(1,089		)		—				—				(1,089		)
	Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans	—				925				—				—				925
	Collections of mezzanine and other notes receivable	105				—				—				—				105
	Advances to and investments in affiliates	—				(35		)		—				35				—
	Divestment in affiliates	—				1,592				—				(1,592		)		—
	Other items, net	(77		)		—				—				—				(77		)
	Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(4,684		)		(1,844		)		816				(1,557		)		(7,269		)
	CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
	Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility	20,700				—				—				—				20,700
	Principal payments on long-term debt	(2,813		)		(177		)		(92		)		—				(3,082		)
	Proceeds from contributions from affiliates	—				—				35				(35		)		—
	Distributions to affiliates	—				—				(1,592		)		1,592				—
	Purchases of treasury stock	(6,227		)		—				—				—				(6,227		)
	Dividends paid	(11,710		)		—				—				—				(11,710		)
	Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	—				4,473				—				—				4,473
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options	5,619				—				—				—				5,619
	Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	5,569				4,296				(1,649		)		1,557				9,773
	Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(19,830		)		(5		)		6,504				—				(13,331		)
	Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—				—				(1,004		)		—				(1,004		)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	25,290				25				189,564				—				214,879
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	5,460			$	20			$	195,064			$	—			$	200,544
	Choice Hotels International, Inc.
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(Unaudited, in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor				Non-Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
						Subsidiaries				Subsidiaries
	Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$	4,252			$	(5,359	)		$	6,371			$	—			$	5,264
	CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
	Investment in property and equipment	(1,359		)		(1,444		)		(212		)		—				(3,015		)
	Equity method investments	—				(98		)		(3,281		)		—				(3,379		)
	Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans	—				(890		)		—				—				(890		)
	Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans	—				281				—				—				281
	Issuance of mezzanine and other notes receivable	(587		)		—				—				—				(587		)
	Collections of mezzanine and other notes receivable	68				—				—				—				68
	Proceeds from sale of assets	—				8,703				—				—				8,703
	Advances to and investments in affiliates	(1,000		)		(2,314		)		—				3,314				—
	Other items, net	(154		)		—				—				—				(154		)
	Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(3,032		)		4,238				(3,493		)		3,314				1,027
	CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
	Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility	15,000				—				—				—				15,000
	Principal payments on long-term debt	(1,875		)		(174		)		(3		)		—				(2,052		)
	Purchase of treasury stock	(4,530		)		—				—				—				(4,530		)
	Dividends paid	(10,784		)		—				—				—				(10,784		)
	Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	—				1,024				—				—				1,024
	Proceeds from contributions from affiliates	—				—				3,314				(3,314		)		—
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,547				—				—				—				1,547
	Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(642		)		850				3,311				(3,314		)		205
	Net change in cash and cash equivalents	578				(271		)		6,189				—				6,496
	Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—				—				587				—				587
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,785				569				157,441				—				167,795
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	10,363			$	298			$	164,217			$	—			$	174,878

Reportable_Segment_Information1

Reportable Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule Of Financial Information For Company's Franchising Segment	The following table presents the financial information for the Company's segments:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015										Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(In thousands)	Franchising		SkyTouch Technology			Corporate &			Consolidated		Franchising		SkyTouch Technology			Corporate &			Consolidated
							Other										Other
	Revenues	$	174,642	$	270		$	333		$	175,245	$	159,683	$	53		$	—		$	159,736
	Operating income (loss)	$	57,457	$	(5,430	)	$	(10,623	)	$	41,404	$	54,210	$	(3,506	)	$	(9,532	)	$	41,172
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	56,452	$	(5,430	)	$	(19,988	)	$	31,034	$	54,219	$	(3,506	)	$	(19,185	)	$	31,528

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Summarized Financial Information, Discontinued Operations	Summarized financial information related to the discontinued operations is as follows:
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Revenues
	Hotel operations		$	—	$	690
	Total revenues		—		690
	Expenses
	Hotel operations		—		662
	Total operating expenses		—		662
	Operating income		—		28
	Gain on disposal of discontinued operations		—		2,581
	Income from discontinued operations before income taxes		—		2,609
	Income taxes		—		968
	Income from discontinued operations		$	—	$	1,641
			As of March 31, 2015		As of December 31, 2014
			(in thousands)
	Total assets		$	—	$	—
	Accounts payable		$	—	$	45
	Income taxes payable		—		994
	Total liabilities		$	—	$	1,039
	Net assets (liabilities) of discontinued operations		$	—	$	(1,039	)

Company_Information_and_Signif2

Company Information and Significant Accounting Policies Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	hotel
Accounts Payable [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Book overdrafts	6.7	$5.40
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
International cash	195.1
MainStay Suites [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Company-owned hotels approved to be sold	3
Company-owned hotels	3

Other_Current_Assets_Schedule_

Other Current Assets Schedule of Other Current Assets (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Notes receivable, net of allowances	$3,966	$3,961
Prepaid expenses	19,653	12,280
Other current assets	5,245	3,081
Total	$28,864	$19,322

Notes_Receivable_and_Allowance2

Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	category
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Number of categories, credit losses for notes receivable	2
Notes receivable	$59,442,000		$50,389,000
Allowance for losses on non-impaired loans	6,695,000		5,987,000
Amortization expense	2,690,000	2,278,000
Forgivable Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	41,558,000		32,379,000
Allowance for losses on non-impaired loans	4,399,000		3,661,000
Amortization expense	1,800,000	1,200,000
Mezzanine & Other Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	17,884,000		18,010,000
Allowance for losses on non-impaired loans	2,296,000		2,326,000
Mezzanine & Other Notes Receivable [Member] | Impaired Loans [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Impaired receivables, recorded investment	800,000		800,000
Impaired receivables, related allowance	800,000		800,000
Average notes receivable, nonaccrual status	800,000	12,500,000
Interest income, impaired loans	33,000	54,000
Mezzanine & Other Notes Receivable [Member] | Non-impaired Loans [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Allowance for losses on non-impaired loans	$1,500,000		$1,500,000

Notes_Receivable_and_Allowance3

Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses Schedule Of Notes Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	$59,442	$50,389
Allowance for losses on non-impaired loans	5,909	5,201
Allowance for losses on receivables specifically evaluated for impairment	786	786
Total loan reserves	6,695	5,987
Net carrying value	52,747	44,402
Current portion, net	3,966	3,961
Long-term portion, net	48,781	40,441
Forgivable Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	41,558	32,379
Allowance for losses on non-impaired loans	4,399	3,661
Allowance for losses on receivables specifically evaluated for impairment	0	0
Total loan reserves	4,399	3,661
Net carrying value	37,159	28,718
Current portion, net	162	124
Long-term portion, net	36,997	28,594
Mezzanine & Other Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	17,884	18,010
Allowance for losses on non-impaired loans	1,510	1,540
Allowance for losses on receivables specifically evaluated for impairment	786	786
Total loan reserves	2,296	2,326
Net carrying value	15,588	15,684
Current portion, net	3,804	3,837
Long-term portion, net	11,784	11,847
Senior Notes [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	10,152	10,152
Senior Notes [Member] | Forgivable Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	0	0
Senior Notes [Member] | Mezzanine & Other Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	10,152	10,152
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	3,844	3,863
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member] | Forgivable Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	0	0
Senior Subordinated Notes [Member] | Mezzanine & Other Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	3,844	3,863
Unsecured Notes [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	45,446	36,374
Unsecured Notes [Member] | Forgivable Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	41,558	32,379
Unsecured Notes [Member] | Mezzanine & Other Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
Notes receivable	$3,888	$3,995

Notes_Receivable_and_Allowance4

Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses Summary Of Activity Related To Allowance For Losses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$5,987
Ending balance	6,695		5,987
Forgivable Notes Receivable [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	3,661
Provisions	952
Recoveries	-194
Write-offs	-149
Other	129	[1]
Ending balance	4,399
Mezzanine & Other Notes Receivable [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,326
Provisions	0
Recoveries	-30
Write-offs	0
Other	0
Ending balance	$2,296
[1]	Consists of default rate assumption changes

Notes_Receivable_and_Allowance5

Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses Past Due Balances Of Mezzanine And Other Notes Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Forgivable Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
30-89 days Past Due	$0	$0
More than 90 days Past Due	1,168	1,227
Total Past Due	1,168	1,227
Current	40,390	31,152
Total Notes Receivable	41,558	32,379
Mezzanine & Other Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
30-89 days Past Due	3,359	0
More than 90 days Past Due	47	47
Total Past Due	3,406	47
Current	14,478	17,963
Total Notes Receivable	17,884	18,010
Mezzanine & Other Notes Receivable [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
30-89 days Past Due	0	0
More than 90 days Past Due	0	0
Total Past Due	0	0
Current	10,152	10,152
Total Notes Receivable	10,152	10,152
Mezzanine & Other Notes Receivable [Member] | Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
30-89 days Past Due	3,359	0
More than 90 days Past Due	0	0
Total Past Due	3,359	0
Current	485	3,863
Total Notes Receivable	3,844	3,863
Mezzanine & Other Notes Receivable [Member] | Unsecured Notes [Member]
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Losses [Line Items]
30-89 days Past Due	0	0
More than 90 days Past Due	47	47
Total Past Due	47	47
Current	3,841	3,948
Total Notes Receivable	$3,888	$3,995

Marketing_and_Reservation_Acti1

Marketing and Reservation Activities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Advances, Marketing and Reservation Activities [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$2,690,000	$2,278,000
Interest expense	10,179,000	10,171,000
Marketing And Reservation Fees [Member]
Advances, Marketing and Reservation Activities [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	5,400,000	3,800,000
Interest expense	9,000	600,000
Assets, Total [Member]
Advances, Marketing and Reservation Activities [Line Items]
Advances, marketing and reservation activities			44,300,000
Other Long-term Liabilities [Member]
Advances, Marketing and Reservation Activities [Line Items]
Advances, marketing and reservation activities	$42,600,000

Other_Assets_Components_Of_Oth

Other Assets Components Of Other Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Equity method investments	$51,239,000		$50,605,000
Deferred financing fees, net	6,690,000		7,228,000
Land	2,711,000		4,011,000
Other assets	3,721,000		3,452,000
Total	64,361,000		65,296,000
Equity method investments in variable interest entities	47,800,000		47,100,000
Net income (loss) attributable to variable interest entities	$1,200,000	$44,000

Deferred_Revenue_Components_Of

Deferred Revenue Components Of Deferred Revenue (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$73,908	$66,382
Loyalty programs [Member]
Deferred Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	61,092	57,757
Initial, relicensing and franchise fees [Member]
Deferred Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	4,973	6,439
Procurement service fees [Member]
Deferred Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	2,711	1,936
Other [Member]
Deferred Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$5,132	$250

Debt_Schedule_Of_Components_Of

Debt Schedule Of Components Of Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 27, 2012	Aug. 25, 2010	Jul. 25, 2012	Dec. 30, 2014
Debt [Line Items]
Total debt	$811,990,000	$794,431,000
Less current portion	12,362,000	12,349,000
Total long-term debt	799,628,000	782,082,000
Senior Notes [Member] | $400 Million Senior Notes [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total debt	400,000,000	400,000,000
Debt instrument face amount			400,000,000
Debt instrument effective interest rate (percentage)	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
Senior Notes [Member] | $250 Million Senior Notes [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total debt	249,652,000	249,636,000
Debt instrument face amount				250,000,000
Debt instrument effective interest rate (percentage)	6.19%	6.19%		6.19%
Senior notes, discount	300,000	400,000		600,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | $350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total debt	147,263,000	129,375,000
Debt instrument face amount					350,000,000
Debt instrument effective interest rate (percentage)	2.26%	2.17%
Economic Development Loans [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total debt	3,536,000	3,536,000
Debt instrument effective interest rate (percentage)	3.00%	3.00%
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total debt	971,000	1,149,000
Debt instrument effective interest rate (percentage)	3.18%	3.18%
Capital lease maturity year	2016	2016
Collateralized mortgage [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total debt	10,502,000	10,667,000
Debt instrument effective interest rate (percentage)	4.57%	4.57%
Fair value adjustment	1,100,000	1,200,000				1,200,000
Other Notes Payable [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total debt	$66,000	$68,000

Debt_Narrative_Details

Debt Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Jun. 27, 2012	Aug. 25, 2010	Jul. 25, 2012	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 30, 2014
Debt [Line Items]
Outstanding debt						$811,990,000	$794,431,000
2012 special cash dividend [Member] | 2012 special cash dividend [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Payments of special dividends	600,700,000
Collateralized mortgage [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument stated interest rate (percentage)								7.26%
Debt instrument effective interest rate (percentage)						4.57%	4.57%
Outstanding debt						10,502,000	10,667,000
Collateralized mortgage								9,500,000
Collateralized mortgage, future balloon payment								6,900,000
Debt premium						1,100,000	1,200,000	1,200,000
Economic Development Loans [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument stated interest rate (percentage)						3.00%
Debt instrument effective interest rate (percentage)						3.00%	3.00%
Outstanding debt						3,536,000	3,536,000
Economic development agreements - total advances agreed upon		4,400,000
Economic development agreements - advances received						3,500,000
Economic development agreements - advances not yet received						900,000
Economic development agreements - measurement frequency		annually
Economic development agreements - term		10 years
$400 Million Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument issuance date			27-Jun-12
Debt instrument face amount			400,000,000
Debt instrument stated interest rate (percentage)			5.75%
Debt instrument effective interest rate (percentage)			6.00%			6.00%	6.00%
Debt instrument maturity date			1-Jul-22
Debt instrument payment frequency			semi-annually
Outstanding debt						400,000,000	400,000,000
$250 Million Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument issuance date				25-Aug-10
Debt instrument face amount				250,000,000
Debt instrument stated interest rate (percentage)				5.70%
Debt instrument effective interest rate (percentage)				6.19%		6.19%	6.19%
Debt instrument maturity date				28-Aug-20
Debt instrument payment frequency				semi-annually
Senior notes, discount				600,000		300,000	400,000
Outstanding debt						249,652,000	249,636,000
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument issuance date					25-Jul-12
Debt instrument face amount					350,000,000
Debt instrument effective interest rate (percentage)						2.26%	2.17%
Debt instrument maturity date					25-Jul-16
Percentage of ownership in certain domestic subsidiaries included as security by first priority pledges					100.00%
Percentage of ownership in certain foreign and domestic subsidiaries and franchise agreements included as security by first priority pledges					65.00%
Debt instrument additional borrowing capacity					100,000,000
Credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage					0.30%
Outstanding debt						147,263,000	129,375,000
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total leverage ratio					4.5
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis					LIBOR
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (percentage)					2.00%
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (percentage)					4.25%
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Base rate [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis					base rate
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Base rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (percentage)					1.00%
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Base rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate (percentage)					3.25%
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Final loan term (Extension) [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, extension, term					1 year
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | After Year 3 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Fixed charge coverage ratio					2.5
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | After Year 3 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total leverage ratio					4
Secured leverage ratio					1.75
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Total leverage ratio exceeds 4.50 to 1.00 [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Credit facility, dividend restriction					50,000,000
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Year 3 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Fixed charge coverage ratio					2.25
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Year 3 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total leverage ratio					4.5
Secured leverage ratio					2
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Years 1 and 2 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Fixed charge coverage ratio					2
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Year 1 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total leverage ratio					5.75
Secured leverage ratio					2.5
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Year 2 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Total leverage ratio					5
Secured leverage ratio					2.25
$200 Million Revolver [Member] | Revolver [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Revolver maximum borrowing capacity					200,000,000
Outstanding debt						20,700,000	0
$200 Million Revolver [Member] | Revolver [Member] | Letter of credit [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Revolver maximum borrowing capacity					25,000,000
$200 Million Revolver [Member] | Revolver [Member] | Swing-line loans [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Revolver maximum borrowing capacity					10,000,000
$200 Million Revolver [Member] | Revolver [Member] | Alternative currency loans [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Revolver maximum borrowing capacity					35,000,000
$150 Million Term Loan [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument face amount					150,000,000
Debt instrument payment frequency					quarterly
Outstanding debt						$126,600,000	$129,400,000
$150 Million Term Loan [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Final loan term (Extension) [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, amortization installment payment phases					1 year
Debt instrument, amortization installment payments, percentage of original principal balance					10.00%
$150 Million Term Loan [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Initial loan term [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, amortization installment payment phases					2 years
Debt instrument, amortization installment payments, percentage of original principal balance					5.00%
$150 Million Term Loan [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Second loan term [Member]
Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument, amortization installment payment phases					2 years
Debt instrument, amortization installment payments, percentage of original principal balance					7.50%

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	($6,971)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	-1,447	521
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	215	215
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,232	736
Ending balance	-8,203
Interest rate contract	215
Tax (expense) benefit	0
Loss on Cash Flow Hedge [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	-4,884
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	215
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	215
Ending balance	-4,669
Foreign Currency Items [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	-2,087
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	-1,447
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,447
Ending balance	($3,534)

NonQualified_Retirement_Saving1

Non-Qualified Retirement, Savings and Investment Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2014
Non-Qualified Retirement, Savings and Investment Plans [Line Items]
Number of non-qualified retirement savings and investment plans	2
Assets held in trust, current	$177,000			$214,000
Investments held in trust	17,916,000			17,539,000
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]
Non-Qualified Retirement, Savings and Investment Plans [Line Items]
Investment yield, basis spread on variable rate			3.00%
Deferred compensation liability, current and long-term	10,200,000			10,200,000
Compensation expense	263,000	100,000
Diversified investments held in trust	5,200,000			4,600,000
Assets held in trust, current	200,000
Investment gains (losses)	99,000	30,000
Common stock held by plan	300,000			200,000
Non-Qualified Plan [Member]
Non-Qualified Retirement, Savings and Investment Plans [Line Items]
Deferred compensation liability, current and long-term	14,200,000			14,400,000
Investment gains (losses)	77,000	37,000
Common stock held by plan	1,400,000			1,300,000
Increase (decrease) in compensation expense	200,000	-100,000
Investments held in trust	$12,900,000			$13,100,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Narrat

Fair Value Measurements Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 27, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 25, 2010
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, transfers between measurement levels	$0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, transfers between measurement levels	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, transfers between measurement levels	0
Senior Notes [Member] | $400 Million Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Debt instrument face amount		400,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] | $400 Million Senior Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Debt instrument fair value	438,000,000		437,700,000
Senior Notes [Member] | $250 Million Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Debt instrument face amount				250,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] | $250 Million Senior Notes [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Debt instrument fair value	$280,000,000		$268,900,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements Schedule Of Fair Value Of Assets (Details) (Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	$68,094		$67,754
Money market funds [Member] | Cash and cash equivalents [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents, fair value	50,001		50,001
Money market funds [Member] | Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Mutual funds and money market funds, fair value	1,063	[1]	1,348	[1]
Mutual funds [Member] | Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Mutual funds and money market funds, fair value	17,030	[1]	16,405	[1]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	17,030		16,405
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Money market funds [Member] | Cash and cash equivalents [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents, fair value	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Money market funds [Member] | Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Mutual funds and money market funds, fair value	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Mutual funds [Member] | Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Mutual funds and money market funds, fair value	17,030	[1]	16,405	[1]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	51,064		51,349
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Money market funds [Member] | Cash and cash equivalents [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents, fair value	50,001		50,001
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Money market funds [Member] | Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Mutual funds and money market funds, fair value	1,063	[1]	1,348	[1]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Mutual funds [Member] | Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Mutual funds and money market funds, fair value	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Money market funds [Member] | Cash and cash equivalents [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Money market funds, included in cash and cash equivalents, fair value	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Money market funds [Member] | Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Mutual funds and money market funds, fair value	0		0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Mutual funds [Member] | Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value [Member]
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]
Mutual funds and money market funds, fair value	$0		$0
[1]	Included in Investments, employee benefit plans fair value on the consolidated balance sheets.

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes Narrative (Details) (Continuing operations [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Continuing operations [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate (percent)	30.40%	31.90%
Federal income tax rate (percent)	35.00%	35.00%

ShareBased_Compensation_and_Ca2

Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Stock options granted, shares	498,911		700,000
Stock options granted, fair value	$6,200,000		$5,700,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options, outstanding	50,200,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options, exercisable	37,000,000
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	8,500,000		1,300,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	5,619,000		1,547,000
Stock options exercised (in shares)	228,963		58,749
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.20		$0.19
Common stock purchased under stock repurchase program (in shares)	0
Shares redeemed for tax withholding for share based compensation (in shares)	102,457
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation	6,200,000
Performance Vested Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Grants vested (in shares)	42,326		28,886
Grants vested, total fair value	1,500,000		1,400,000
Grants vested, initial target (in shares)	38,476		18,635
Grants vested, performance percentage achieved	110.00%		155.00%
Increase in shares due to performance percentage achieved (in shares)	3,850	[1]	10,251
Periodic dividend (in dollars per share)	$0.20
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.20
Dividends declared	11,200,000
Contingent dividends recorded	$500,000
Performance Vested Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Vesting range (percentage)	0.00%
Award targets currently estimated to be achieved (percentage)	0.00%
Performance Vested Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Vesting range (percentage)	200.00%
Award targets currently estimated to be achieved (percentage)	180.00%
[1]	PVRSU units outstanding have been increased by 3,850 units due to the Company exceeding the targeted performance conditions contained in PVRSUs granted in prior periods during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

ShareBased_Compensation_and_Ca3

Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock Weighted Average Assumptions Of Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Contractual life	7 years	7 years
Weighted average fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)	$12.39	$8.82
Stock Options [Member]
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate (percent)	1.45%	1.56%
Expected volatility (percent)	23.94%	25.01%
Expected life of stock option	4 years 7 months 6 days	4 years 6 months
Dividend yield (percent)	1.23%	1.62%
Requisite service period	4 years	4 years

ShareBased_Compensation_and_Ca4

Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock Summary Of Activity Related To Restricted Stock Grants (Details) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Granted - shares	85,792	129,793
Weighted average grant date fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$63.46	$46.71
Aggregate grant date fair value	$5,445	$6,062
Restricted shares forfeited	4,778	1,332
Vesting service period of shares granted		4 years
Fair value of shares vested	$10,684	$7,269
Minimum [Member]
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Vesting service period of shares granted	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Vesting service period of shares granted	4 years

ShareBased_Compensation_and_Ca5

Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock Summary Of Activity Related To PVRSU Grants (Details) (Performance Vested Restricted Stock Units [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Performance Vested Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Performance vested restricted stock units granted at target	30,353	43,871
Weighted average grant date fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$63.47	$45.59
Aggregate grant date fair value	$1,927	$2,000
Stock units forfeited	0	0
Requisite service period	3 years	3 years

ShareBased_Compensation_and_Ca6

Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock Summary of Change in Stock-Based Award Activity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning balance - Shares	1,903,177
Granted - Shares	498,911		700,000
Exercised - Shares	-228,963		-58,749
Expired - Shares	0
Forfeited - Shares	-3,685
Outstanding, ending balance - Shares	2,169,440		2,300,000
Options exercisable, ending balance - Shares	1,057,276
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning balance - Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$33.03
Granted - Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$63.47
Exercised - Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$24.54
Expired - Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$0
Forfeited - Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$45.59
Outstanding, ending balance - Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$40.91
Options Exercisable, ending balance - Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$29.08
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term [Roll Forward]
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term - Outstanding, ending balance	4 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term - Options Exercisable, ending balance	2 years 10 months 24 days
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning balance - Shares	479,556
Granted - shares	85,792		129,793
Vested - Shares	-172,165
Forfeited - Shares	-4,778		-1,332
Outstanding, ending balance - Shares	388,405
Outstanding, beginning balance - Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$40.14
Granted - Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$63.46		46.71
Vested - Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$38.82
Forfeited - Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$39.89
Outstanding, ending balance - Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$45.88
Performance Vested Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning balance - Shares	200,286
Granted - shares	30,353		43,871
Performance-based leveraging - Shares	3,850	[1]	10,251
Vested - Shares	-42,326		-28,886
Forfeited - Shares	0		0
Outstanding, ending balance - Shares	192,163
Outstanding, beginning balance - Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$38.28
Granted - Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$63.47		45.59
Performance-Based Leveraging - Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$35.60
Vested - Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$35.60
Forfeited - Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$0
Outstanding, ending balance - Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	$42.79
[1]	PVRSU units outstanding have been increased by 3,850 units due to the Company exceeding the targeted performance conditions contained in PVRSUs granted in prior periods during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

ShareBased_Compensation_and_Ca7

Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock Pre-Tax Stock-Based Compensation Expenses And Associated Income Tax Benefits (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Pretax share-based compensation expense	$2.80	$3
Income tax benefits	1	1.1
Stock Options [Member]
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Pretax share-based compensation expense	0.7	0.4
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Pretax share-based compensation expense	1.8	1.9
Performance Vested Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-Based Compensation and Capital Stock [Line Items]
Pretax share-based compensation expense	$0.30	$0.70

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator:
Net income from continuing operations	$21,594	$21,469
Net income from discontinued operations	0	1,641
Net income	21,594	23,110
Denominator:
Basic earnings per share - Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.38	$0.37
Basic earnings per share - Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.03
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.38	$0.40
Numerator:
Net income from continuing operations	21,594	21,469
Net income from discontinued operations	0	1,641
Net income	21,594	23,110
Denominator:
Diluted earnings per share - Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.36
Diluted earnings per share - Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.03
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.37	$0.39
Basic earnings per share [Member]
Numerator:
Net income from continuing operations	21,594	21,469
Net income from discontinued operations	0	1,641
Net income	21,594	23,110
Income allocated to participating securities	-164	-202
Net income available to common shareholders	21,430	22,908
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	57,003	57,807
Numerator:
Net income from continuing operations	21,594	21,469
Net income from discontinued operations	0	1,641
Net income	21,594	23,110
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	57,003	57,807
Diluted earnings per share [Member]
Numerator:
Net income from continuing operations	21,594	21,469
Net income from discontinued operations	0	1,641
Net income	21,594	23,110
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	57,003	57,807
Numerator:
Net income from continuing operations	21,594	21,469
Net income from discontinued operations	0	1,641
Net income	21,594	23,110
Income allocated to participating securities	-164	-201
Net income available to common shareholders	$21,430	$22,909
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	57,003	57,807
Diluted effect of stock options and PVRSUs	583	493
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted	57,586	58,300

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Outstanding stock options	2,169,440	2,300,000	1,903,177
Antidilutive securities excluded from EPS computation	500,000	0
Performance Vested Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
PVRSUs excluded from EPS calculation due to performance conditions not met	192,163	241,578

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem

Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
REVENUES:
Royalty fees	$62,431	$58,540
Initial franchise and relicensing fees	5,717	3,740
Procurement services	4,807	4,778
Marketing and reservation	98,713	89,606
Other	3,577	3,072
Total revenues	175,245	159,736
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative	32,438	26,680
Marketing and reservation	98,713	89,606
Depreciation and amortization	2,690	2,278
Total operating expenses	133,841	118,564
Operating income	41,404	41,172
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
Interest expense	10,179	10,171
Total other income and expenses, net	10,370	9,644
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	31,034	31,528
Income taxes	9,440	10,059
Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	21,594	21,469
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	1,641
Net income	21,594	23,110
Parent [Member]
REVENUES:
Royalty fees	57,587	52,995
Initial franchise and relicensing fees	5,496	3,584
Procurement services	4,666	4,631
Marketing and reservation	88,236	78,821
Other	3,102	2,956
Total revenues	159,087	142,987
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative	38,699	30,574
Marketing and reservation	92,024	81,585
Depreciation and amortization	774	751
Total operating expenses	131,497	112,910
Operating income	27,590	30,077
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
Interest expense	10,032	10,168
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	-11,332	-10,926
Other items, net	-292	-428
Total other income and expenses, net	-1,592	-1,186
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	29,182	31,263
Income taxes	7,588	8,153
Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	21,594	23,110
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	0
Net income	21,594	23,110
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
REVENUES:
Royalty fees	31,240	24,215
Initial franchise and relicensing fees	0	0
Procurement services	0	0
Marketing and reservation	90,385	73,899
Other	0	0
Total revenues	121,625	98,114
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative	28,052	22,091
Marketing and reservation	86,811	70,944
Depreciation and amortization	1,705	1,318
Total operating expenses	116,568	94,353
Operating income	5,057	3,761
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
Interest expense	0	1
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	138	61
Other items, net	297	-67
Total other income and expenses, net	435	-5
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	4,622	3,766
Income taxes	2,284	1,804
Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	2,338	1,962
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	1,641
Net income	2,338	3,603
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
REVENUES:
Royalty fees	11,155	10,522
Initial franchise and relicensing fees	221	156
Procurement services	141	147
Marketing and reservation	3,621	4,135
Other	475	116
Total revenues	15,613	15,076
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative	3,238	3,207
Marketing and reservation	3,407	4,326
Depreciation and amortization	211	209
Total operating expenses	6,856	7,742
Operating income	8,757	7,334
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
Interest expense	147	2
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other items, net	186	-32
Total other income and expenses, net	333	-30
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	8,424	7,364
Income taxes	-432	102
Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	8,856	7,262
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	0
Net income	8,856	7,262
Eliminations [Member]
REVENUES:
Royalty fees	-37,551	-29,192
Initial franchise and relicensing fees	0	0
Procurement services	0	0
Marketing and reservation	-83,529	-67,249
Other	0	0
Total revenues	-121,080	-96,441
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative	-37,551	-29,192
Marketing and reservation	-83,529	-67,249
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Total operating expenses	-121,080	-96,441
Operating income	0	0
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
Interest expense	0	0
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	11,194	10,865
Other items, net	0	0
Total other income and expenses, net	11,194	10,865
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	-11,194	-10,865
Income taxes	0	0
Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	-11,194	-10,865
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	0
Net income	-11,194	-10,865
Consolidated [Member]
REVENUES:
Royalty fees	62,431	58,540
Initial franchise and relicensing fees	5,717	3,740
Procurement services	4,807	4,778
Marketing and reservation	98,713	89,606
Other	3,577	3,072
Total revenues	175,245	159,736
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general and administrative	32,438	26,680
Marketing and reservation	98,713	89,606
Depreciation and amortization	2,690	2,278
Total operating expenses	133,841	118,564
Operating income	41,404	41,172
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET:
Interest expense	10,179	10,171
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other items, net	191	-527
Total other income and expenses, net	10,370	9,644
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	31,034	31,528
Income taxes	9,440	10,059
Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	21,594	21,469
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	1,641
Net income	$21,594	$23,110

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem1

Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$21,594	$23,110
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge	215	215
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-1,447	521
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-1,232	736
Comprehensive income	20,362	23,846
Parent [Member]
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income	21,594	23,110
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge	215	215
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-1,447	521
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-1,232	736
Comprehensive income	20,362	23,846
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income	2,338	3,603
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0
Comprehensive income	2,338	3,603
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income	8,856	7,262
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-1,447	521
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-1,447	521
Comprehensive income	7,409	7,783
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income	-11,194	-10,865
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,447	-521
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,447	-521
Comprehensive income	-9,747	-11,386
Consolidated [Member]
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income	21,594	23,110
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Amortization of loss on cash flow hedge	215	215
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-1,447	521
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-1,232	736
Comprehensive income	$20,362	$23,846

Condensed_Consolidating_Balanc

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$200,544	$214,879	$174,878	$167,795
Receivables, net	102,013	91,681
Total current assets	357,272	351,414
Property and equipment, at cost, net	80,057	77,309
Goodwill	65,813	65,813
Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net	8,001	8,912
Notes receivable, net of allowances	48,781	40,441
Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value	17,916	17,539
Deferred income taxes	18,921	20,546
Other assets	64,361	65,296
Total assets	661,122	647,270
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Accounts payable	54,631	57,124
Accrued expenses	39,414	63,530
Deferred revenue	73,908	66,382
Current portion of long-term debt	12,362	12,349
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	177	628
Total current liabilities	181,888	200,098
Long-term debt	799,628	782,082
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	24,259	23,987
Other liabilities	68,840	69,904
Total liabilities	1,074,615	1,076,071
Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity	-413,493	-428,801
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit	661,122	647,270
Parent [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	5,460	25,290	10,363	9,785
Receivables, net	92,210	82,195
Other current assets	15,840	25,152
Total current assets	113,510	132,637
Property and equipment, at cost, net	28,756	25,300
Goodwill	60,620	60,620
Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net	3,766	4,380
Notes receivable, net of allowances	11,783	11,847
Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value	0	0
Investment in affiliates	438,965	424,600
Advances to affiliates	16,594	15,670
Deferred income taxes	11,706	9,418
Other assets	6,691	7,228
Total assets	692,391	691,700
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Accounts payable	10,035	15,588
Accrued expenses	19,294	28,719
Deferred revenue	12,620	8,467
Current portion of long-term debt	11,250	11,250
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	0	0
Other current liabilities	0	0
Total current liabilities	53,199	64,024
Long-term debt	785,665	767,760
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	0	0
Advances from affiliates	219,024	237,973
Other liabilities	47,996	50,744
Total liabilities	1,105,884	1,120,501
Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity	-413,493	-428,801
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit	692,391	691,700
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	20	25	298	569
Receivables, net	1,856	1,194
Other current assets	44,814	33,585
Total current assets	46,690	34,804
Property and equipment, at cost, net	37,171	37,675
Goodwill	5,193	5,193
Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net	1,323	1,479
Notes receivable, net of allowances	36,319	27,895
Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value	17,916	17,539
Investment in affiliates	29,443	31,139
Advances to affiliates	201,673	222,500
Deferred income taxes	7,132	10,429
Other assets	25,009	23,891
Total assets	407,869	412,544
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Accounts payable	41,405	37,970
Accrued expenses	18,140	32,649
Deferred revenue	60,672	57,339
Current portion of long-term debt	725	718
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	177	628
Other current liabilities	10,406	15,843
Total current liabilities	131,525	145,147
Long-term debt	3,783	3,966
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	24,246	23,978
Advances from affiliates	414	341
Other liabilities	18,044	16,116
Total liabilities	178,012	189,548
Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity	229,857	222,996
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit	407,869	412,544
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	195,064	189,564	164,217	157,441
Receivables, net	7,947	8,292
Other current assets	3,071	1,875
Total current assets	206,082	199,731
Property and equipment, at cost, net	14,130	14,334
Goodwill	0	0
Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net	2,912	3,053
Notes receivable, net of allowances	679	699
Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value	0	0
Investment in affiliates	0	0
Advances to affiliates	8,706	7,793
Deferred income taxes	83	699
Other assets	32,661	34,177
Total assets	265,253	260,486
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Accounts payable	3,191	3,566
Accrued expenses	1,980	2,162
Deferred revenue	616	576
Current portion of long-term debt	387	381
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	0	0
Other current liabilities	0	0
Total current liabilities	6,174	6,685
Long-term debt	10,180	10,356
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	13	9
Advances from affiliates	7,535	7,649
Other liabilities	2,800	3,044
Total liabilities	26,702	27,743
Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity	238,551	232,743
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit	265,253	260,486
Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Receivables, net	0	0
Other current assets	-9,010	-15,758
Total current assets	-9,010	-15,758
Property and equipment, at cost, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net	0	0
Notes receivable, net of allowances	0	0
Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value	0	0
Investment in affiliates	-468,408	-455,739
Advances to affiliates	-226,973	-245,963
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	-704,391	-717,460
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	0	0
Deferred revenue	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	0	0
Other current liabilities	-9,010	-15,758
Total current liabilities	-9,010	-15,758
Long-term debt	0	0
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	0	0
Advances from affiliates	-226,973	-245,963
Other liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	-235,983	-261,721
Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity	-468,408	-455,739
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit	-704,391	-717,460
Consolidated [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	200,544	214,879	174,878	167,795
Receivables, net	102,013	91,681
Other current assets	54,715	44,854
Total current assets	357,272	351,414
Property and equipment, at cost, net	80,057	77,309
Goodwill	65,813	65,813
Franchise rights and other identifiable intangibles, net	8,001	8,912
Notes receivable, net of allowances	48,781	40,441
Investments, employee benefit plans, at fair value	17,916	17,539
Investment in affiliates	0	0
Advances to affiliates	0	0
Deferred income taxes	18,921	20,546
Other assets	64,361	65,296
Total assets	661,122	647,270
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Accounts payable	54,631	57,124
Accrued expenses	39,414	63,530
Deferred revenue	73,908	66,382
Current portion of long-term debt	12,362	12,349
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	177	628
Other current liabilities	1,396	85
Total current liabilities	181,888	200,098
Long-term debt	799,628	782,082
Deferred compensation and retirement plan obligations	24,259	23,987
Advances from affiliates	0	0
Other liabilities	68,840	69,904
Total liabilities	1,074,615	1,076,071
Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity	-413,493	-428,801
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit	$661,122	$647,270

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem2

Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Line Items]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	($15,835,000)	$5,264,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in property and equipment	-6,804,000	-3,015,000
Proceeds from sales of assets	1,592,000	8,703,000
Equity method investments	-1,921,000	-3,379,000
Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans	-1,089,000	-890,000
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans	925,000	281,000
Issuance of mezzanine and other notes receivable	0	-587,000
Collections of mezzanine and other notes receivable	105,000	68,000
Other items, net	-77,000	-154,000
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	-7,269,000	1,027,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility	20,700,000	15,000,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	-3,082,000	-2,052,000
Purchases of treasury stock	-6,227,000	-4,530,000
Dividends paid	-11,710,000	-10,784,000
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	4,473,000	1,024,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	5,619,000	1,547,000
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	9,773,000	205,000
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-13,331,000	6,496,000
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,004,000	587,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	214,879,000	167,795,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	200,544,000	174,878,000
Parent [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Line Items]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	-20,715,000	4,252,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in property and equipment	-4,712,000	-1,359,000
Proceeds from sales of assets	0	0
Equity method investments	0	0
Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans	0	0
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans	0	0
Issuance of mezzanine and other notes receivable		-587,000
Collections of mezzanine and other notes receivable	105,000	68,000
Advances to and investments in affiliates	0	-1,000,000
Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets, Investing Activities	0
Other items, net	-77,000	-154,000
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	-4,684,000	-3,032,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility	20,700,000	15,000,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	-2,813,000	-1,875,000
Proceeds from contributions from affiliates	0	0
Distributions to affiliates	0
Purchases of treasury stock	-6,227,000	-4,530,000
Dividends paid	-11,710,000	-10,784,000
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	5,619,000	1,547,000
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	5,569,000	-642,000
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-19,830,000	578,000
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	25,290,000	9,785,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	5,460,000	10,363,000
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Line Items]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	-2,457,000	-5,359,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in property and equipment	-2,060,000	-1,444,000
Proceeds from sales of assets	0	8,703,000
Equity method investments	-1,177,000	-98,000
Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans	-1,089,000	-890,000
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans	925,000	281,000
Issuance of mezzanine and other notes receivable		0
Collections of mezzanine and other notes receivable	0	0
Advances to and investments in affiliates	-35,000	-2,314,000
Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets, Investing Activities	1,592,000
Other items, net	0	0
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	-1,844,000	4,238,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility	0	0
Principal payments on long-term debt	-177,000	-174,000
Proceeds from contributions from affiliates	0	0
Distributions to affiliates	0
Purchases of treasury stock	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	4,473,000	1,024,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	4,296,000	850,000
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-5,000	-271,000
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	25,000	569,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	20,000	298,000
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Line Items]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	7,337,000	6,371,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in property and equipment	-32,000	-212,000
Proceeds from sales of assets	1,592,000	0
Equity method investments	-744,000	-3,281,000
Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans	0	0
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans	0	0
Issuance of mezzanine and other notes receivable		0
Collections of mezzanine and other notes receivable	0	0
Advances to and investments in affiliates	0	0
Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets, Investing Activities	0
Other items, net	0	0
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	816,000	-3,493,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility	0	0
Principal payments on long-term debt	-92,000	-3,000
Proceeds from contributions from affiliates	35,000	3,314,000
Distributions to affiliates	-1,592,000
Purchases of treasury stock	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	-1,649,000	3,311,000
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	6,504,000	6,189,000
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,004,000	587,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	189,564,000	157,441,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	195,064,000	164,217,000
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Line Items]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	0	0
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in property and equipment	0	0
Proceeds from sales of assets	0	0
Equity method investments	0	0
Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans	0	0
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans	0	0
Issuance of mezzanine and other notes receivable		0
Collections of mezzanine and other notes receivable	0	0
Advances to and investments in affiliates	35,000	3,314,000
Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets, Investing Activities	-1,592,000
Other items, net	0	0
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	-1,557,000	3,314,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility	0	0
Principal payments on long-term debt	0	0
Proceeds from contributions from affiliates	-35,000	-3,314,000
Distributions to affiliates	1,592,000
Purchases of treasury stock	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	0
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	1,557,000	-3,314,000
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	0
Consolidated [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements [Line Items]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	-15,835,000	5,264,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in property and equipment	-6,804,000	-3,015,000
Proceeds from sales of assets	1,592,000	8,703,000
Equity method investments	-1,921,000	-3,379,000
Purchases of investments, employee benefit plans	-1,089,000	-890,000
Proceeds from sales of investments, employee benefit plans	925,000	281,000
Issuance of mezzanine and other notes receivable		-587,000
Collections of mezzanine and other notes receivable	105,000	68,000
Advances to and investments in affiliates	0	0
Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets, Investing Activities	0
Other items, net	-77,000	-154,000
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	-7,269,000	1,027,000
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings pursuant to revolving credit facility	20,700,000	15,000,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	-3,082,000	-2,052,000
Proceeds from contributions from affiliates	0	0
Distributions to affiliates	0
Purchases of treasury stock	-6,227,000	-4,530,000
Dividends paid	-11,710,000	-10,784,000
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	4,473,000	1,024,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	5,619,000	1,547,000
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	9,773,000	205,000
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-13,331,000	6,496,000
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,004,000	587,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	214,879,000	167,795,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$200,544,000	$174,878,000

Reportable_Segment_Information2

Reportable Segment Information Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	segment
	brand
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of brands	11
Number of segments	2

Reportable_Segment_Information3

Reportable Segment Information Schedule Of Financial Information For Company's Franchising Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Reportable Segment Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$175,245	$159,736
Operating income (loss)	41,404	41,172
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	31,034	31,528
Franchising [Member]
Reportable Segment Information [Line Items]
Revenues	174,642	159,683
Operating income (loss)	57,457	54,210
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	56,452	54,219
SkyTouch Technology [Member]
Reportable Segment Information [Line Items]
Revenues	270	53
Operating income (loss)	-5,430	-3,506
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-5,430	-3,506
Corporate & Other [Member]
Reportable Segment Information [Line Items]
Revenues	333	0
Operating income (loss)	-10,623	-9,532
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	($19,988)	($19,185)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 15, 2013	Oct. 09, 2012	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Bank loan issued to business associate, partially guaranteed by parent	$46,200,000	$18,000,000
Bank loan issued to business associate, percentage guaranteed by parent	25.00%	25.00%
Maximum exposure under guaranty	11,600,000	4,500,000
Reimbursement and guaranty agreement, percentage to be reimbursed	75.00%
Forgivable notes receivable [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Other commitment			32,500,000
Other commitment, due in next twelve months			12,100,000
Capital contributions to joint ventures [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Other commitment, due in next twelve months			$2,100,000

Discontinued_Operations_Narrat

Discontinued Operations Narrative (Details) (MainStay Suites [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	hotel
MainStay Suites [Member]
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Company-owned hotels approved to be sold	3
Company-owned hotels	3

Discontinued_Operations_Summar

Discontinued Operations Summarized Financial Information Related to the Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues
Hotel operations	$0	$690
Total revenues	0	690
Expenses
Hotel operations	0	662
Total operating expenses	0	662
Operating income	0	28
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations	0	2,581
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	0	2,609
Income taxes	0	968
Income from discontinued operations	0	1,641
Total assets	0		0
Accounts payable	0		45
Income taxes payable	0		994
Total liabilities	0		1,039
Net assets (liabilities) of discontinued operations	$0		($1,039)

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	1-May-15
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.19
Subsequent Event | Common Stock
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)			$0.20
Dividends declared			$11.20